Class 
Book 




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COPttUGHT DEPOSIT. 



MOUNT VERNON 



MOUNT VERNON 

WASHINGTON'S HOME and 
THE NATION'S SHRINE 



BY 






PAUL WILSTACH 

Author of "Richard Mansfield, the Man and the Actor" etc. 




ILLUSTRATED 



GARDEN CITY NEW YORK 

DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 
1916 



F 3 






Copyright, 1916, by 
Doubleday, Page & Company 

All rights reserved, including that of 

translation into foreign languages, 

including the Scandinavian 



SEP 30 1916 



: 



To 
HARRISON HOWELL DODGE 



\ 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 

Mount Vernon's Beginnings — The Doeg Indians — John Smith's 
Account of the Upper Tidewater Potomac — Leonard Calvert at 
Piscataway — Early Royal Grants of the Northern Neck — The 
English Washingtons — First Washingtons in Virginia — Wash- 
ington and Fairfaxes Move Up the Potomac — Title to Hunting 
Creek Tract — The First Dwelling — The Fire — Lawrence Wash- 
ington .......... 3 

CHAPTER II 

What Lawrence Found on His Tract — Pioneer Buildings — 
Abandons His Estate for Military Service in the West Indies Under 
Admiral Vernon — Returns and Marries Anne Fairfax — Career of 
Lawrence Washington— Arrival of George to Make His Home at 
Mount Vernon — Parson Weems — Influences on George's Young 
Character at Mount Vernon and at Belvoir — The Original House 
—Who Built It?— The Cornerstone. .... 15 

CHAPTER III 

Lawrence Plans George's Career — Letter of Uncle Joseph Ball 
— Fox Hunting with Lord Fairfax — Absent Surveying in the Valley 
— Sentimental Manifestations — Military Tutors at Mount Ver- 
non — Lawrence 111 — Lawrence and George Sail for Barbadoes — 
Return and Death and Will of Lawrence — George Master of Mount 
Vernon .......... 26 

CHAPTER IV 

Absences from Home — Military Expeditions to the Ohio — Mary 
Washington's Last Visit to Mount Vernon — Organizing the House- 
hold — Political Aspirations — John Augustine Washington the First 
Manager — Off to the West with Braddock — Military Career Un- 
remunerative — Home with Extended Fame, General Braddock's 
Battle Charger and Bishop — Women Who Might Have Been Mis- 



x TABLE OF CONTENTS 

tress of Mount Vernon Washington Made Commander of All 
Virginia Troops A Winter's Dlness at Mount Vernon, Not 
Without Compensation ....... 37 

CHAPTER V 

A. Chapter Wholly Aw a\ fro in Mount Vernon Most Significant 
to [ts History Bishop's Vigil I 'inner at Mr. Chamberlayne's 

Martha Dandridge Custis 1 1 « • r- Family Marly Life — George 
Washington and Martha Custis Betrothed — Off to the Wesl 
Letters Restoring Mount Vernon in Its Master's Absence 
The Wedding Honeymoon at the Six-chimney House in Wil 
liamsburg Washington in the House of Burgesses Bringing 

the Bride to Mount Vernon Curiosity of the Neighbors and 
Retainers The Arrival — Martha Washington Mistress of Mount 
Vernon ... .... . . . .50 

CHAPTER VI 

Settling in Mount Vernon — Development of the Domestic 
Life on the Plantation— Martha Washington as a Housekeeper — 
Mount Vernon Crows into a Village — The Spinning House -The 
Laundry The Dairy The Smoke House- The Kitchen Shop- 
ping in London by Way of the Tobacco Ships — Washington's 
Taste Daily Routine — The Beginnings <)f Sixteen Years of Home 
Life and the Upbuilding of the Estate . . . . G5 

CHAPTER VII 

Washington as a Planter — Extending the Boundaries of the 

Estate The Five Farms Farm Organization Virginia Methods 

ricultural Experiments Horses and Cattle The Old Mill — 

The Distillery The Ovens Fish and Fishing Charity Making 

Ends Meet . . . .76 

CHAPTER VI II 

Social Life Processions of Guests Dinner Parties English 
Naval Officers Neighborhood Life The Mansions on Both 
Sides of the Potomac To Annapolis for the Races Captain 
John Posey's Letter Alexandria Associations The Bread and 
Butler Ball Fox Hunting -Nearby Race Track- Lotteries 
Duelling Mrs. Washington's Children, John and Martha ( ustis 

I > . 1 1 1< 1 1 . ( ....... 89 



TABLE OF CONTENTS xi 

CHAPTER IX 

Washington in Colonial Public Life — Vestryman of Truro 
Parish — Drawing the Parish Lines to Capture Mount Vernon — 
Attendance at Pohick Church — As a Churchman — As Burgess in 
the Assembly at Williamsburg — Trips Between Mount Vernon 
and the Capital — Late Summers at Bath Springs — A Trip to New 
York— Charles Willson Peale— The First Portrait . .104 

CHAPTER X 

Last Years Before the Revolution— Changes in the Family and 
in the Neighborhood — Death of Martha Custis — The Fairfaxes 
Leave for England — Sale at Belvoir — Jack Custis Marries Eleanor 
Calvert — Courtly Letters — Mount Vernon Adapts Itself to the 
Stamp Act — The Fairfax Resolves — Notable Conferences at 
Mount Vernon — Preparing to Enlarge the Llouse — Eccentric 
Charles Lee — Preparations for the Impending Struggle — The 
Eyes of the Colonies on Mount Vernon — The Richmond Conven- 
tion — To the Congress in Philadelphia — Commander-in-Chief of 
the Army 116 

CHAPTER XI 

Mount Vernon During the Revolution — Mrs. Washington's 
Absences in Camp — Lund Washington in Charge of the Estate — 
The Door of Hospitality Kept Open by the Absent Master — Postal 
Facilities — British on the Potomac — Designs on Mount Vernon — 
Mrs. Washington Flees for a Night — Tarlton's Raiders — Lund 
Propitiates the British — The General's Rebuke — Building Oper- 
ations — The Northeast and Southwest Additions Completed — 
Outbuildings Built and Rebuilt — The Portico — Belvoir Burned 
— The General's Brief Visit After Six Years' Absence — Death of 
John Parke Custis — Washington Adopts Two of His Children — 
Two Years Later Resigns Commission and Returns Home and to 
Private Life 132 

CHAPTER XII 

Washington's Delight to Be at Mount Vernon Again — Letters 
— To Fredericksburg, Philadelphia, and the Ohio Country — Putting 
a Finish on Grounds and Buildings — The Bowling Green and the 
Serpentine Drive — Trees — The Deer Park — Gardens — Walls — 
Barns — Fences — A Toper's Contract — The General's Warhorse- 



xii TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Nelson — Mrs. Washington's Grandchildren- His Nephews and 
Nieces- First Wedding in the Mansion Dreaming a Deed from 
the General—- Shiftless Harriott ..... 145 



CHAPTER XIII 

Burdens of Greatness -Secretaries in the Home — David Hum- 
phries and William Smith — Anecdote of Old Bishop and His 
Daughter— Gideon Snow-William Shaw — Tobias Lear New 
Associations with Alexandria — Visitors' Descriptions of Life at 
Mount Vernon Sitting l'<>r the Portrait 1'ainters — Arrival of 
Houdon — He Models the Bust — LaFayette's Visit — Gifts from 
Abroad -French Hounds -The Vaughan Mantel — Mules from 
Malta — Asses from the King of Spain .... 100 

CHAPTER XIV 

Mount Vernon the Cradle of Constitutional Agitation — Union 
of States First Effected at Mount Vernon Conference — Off 
to the Constitutional Convention — Washington's Passion for 
the Constitution — Virginia in a Turmoil — -Ratification — Dreading 
the Interruption of His Home Life — Elected First President of 
the lnited States The Formal Notification at Mount Vernon — 
Breaking Home Ties — End of His Furlough — Departure for the 
Inauguration ........ 177 

CHAPTER XV 

Mount Vernon During the Presidency — Visits Home — Arrival 
of the Key of the Bastille — Mode of Travel The Hard Riding 
Aide and the General's Anger — Directions for Hospitality at 

Mount Vernon in His Absence — Managers of the Estate: George 
Augustine Washington, Anthony Whiting, Howell Lewis, William 
Pearce and James Anderson Keeping in 'Touch with His Estate 
when Absent — New Barns Mrs. Washington Homesick in Phil- 
adelphia — The General's Love for His Home — Retires from Public 
Life — Returns to Mount Vernon ..... iso 

CHAPTER XVI 

Planter Once More Repairing the Neglect of Years of Absence 

— Refurnishing the Mansion Joking About Death Renewed 
Social Gayety A Letter to Mrs. Fairfax George Washington 

Lafayette Distinguished Visitors Bushrod Washington and 



TABLE OF CONTENTS xiii 

John Marshall Bring a Peddler's Pack — General Henry Lee and 
His Liberties— The Polish Gentleman's Visit — Washington's Own 
Account of How He Spent His Time. .... 201 

CHAPTER XVn 

The Year 1799 — Washington's Fortieth Wedding Anniversary 
— Two Birthday Celebrations — Wedding of Nellie Custis and 
Lawrence Lewis — A Gay Summer — First Dinner Alone with Mrs. 
Washington in Twenty Years — Bankruptcy by Hospitality — 
Mount Vernon Washington's Consuming Interest — A Luxury — 
The Rickety Stairway at the Polls — A Birth in the Mansion — 
Washington Survives His Sister and All His Brothers — Last Dinner 
Parties at Mount Eagle and Mount Vernon — Caught in a Storm 
— Last Illness — Death — Funeral . . . . .216 

CHAPTER XVIII 

Death Chamber Sealed — Washington's Will — Mount Vernon 
Bequeathed to Bushrod Washington — Other Bequests — The 
Inventory — The Slave Problem — Martha Washington's Last 
Days — Death — Family Matters — Pictures, Plate, Furnishings, 
and Souvenirs Dispersed — Sale of 1802 — Bushrod Washington 
Takes Possession of Mount Vernon .... 22.5 

CHAPTER XIX 

Career of Bushrod Washington — Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the United States — Estimates by Contemporaries — Mount 
Vernon and the English Fleet in 1814 — Battle off Bel voir — Rev- 
erend Charles O'Neill — Return of LaFayette — Death of Justice 
Washington — The Two John Augustine Washingtons — New 
Tomb — Reentombment of the General and Mrs. Washington — 
Other Burials — The Key Thrown into the Potomac . . 240 

CHAPTER XX 

Mount Vernon Lands Diminish — Burden of a National Shrine 
— Neglect and Decay — Speculators — Vain Appeal for Govern- 
ment Purchase — Ann Pamela Cunningham Organizes the Mount 
Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union — Contract for Purchase 
— Campaign for Funds — Edward Everett's Work — Possession 
Given — Restoration Begun — During the War — Regents, Super- 
intendents, and Other Officials ..... 254 



xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTEB XXI 

Remaking the Home of George Washington — The Summer 
House— The Old Tomb -Deer Park— Gifts of Protective Lands 

North Lodge Gates Sea Wall Garden, Screen, and Ha-Ha 
Walls A Colonial Ruin Bought to Get Colonial Brick Tunnelling 
to Prevent Mount Vernon from Slipping Earliest Shingles Still 
Shelter the Mansion Flagging from St. Bees - Precautions Extraor- 
dinary— If Mount Vernon Were Destroyed Historic Belies— 
When Naval Vessels Pass the Tomb of the Father of His Country 

A. Symbol — The End . . . . . 264 

APPENDIX 

A 

The Title to Mount Vernon l 28l 

B 

Table of General Washington's Visits to Mount Vernon While 
President 283 

C 

Tables of Those Born, Married, and Buried at Mount Vernon k 284 

D 

Regents and Vice-Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Asso- 
ciation of the Union, Since Its Organization . . . . 287 

INDEX . . . . 293 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Mount Vernon Mansion Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

Lawrence Washington 16 

Admiral Vernon 20 

The Old Brick Barn 22 

The Corner Stone of Mount Vernon 26 

Survey of Mount Vernon 28 

The Ruins of the Old Tomb 32 

The Old Tomb 32 

George Washington in the Uniform of a Virginia Colonel . 52 

Mrs. George Washington 60 

The South Lane 66 

The Kitchen Fireplace 68 

The North Lane 76 

A Map of General Washington's Farm 78 

A Lane Below the Old Brick Barn 84 

The West Lodge Gates 92 

The River Shore 92 

The West Parlor 96 

The Family Dining Room 96 

The Music Room 98 

The Sitting Room 98 

Pohick Church 110 

North and South Lanes 112 

The Floor Plans of Mount Vernon 128 

The Great Window in the Banquet Hall 132 

The North Colonnade 140 

The Central Hall or Passage 144 

A Vista Through the Portico 148 

XV 



xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



FACING 
PAGE 



"Samuel Vaughan's Plan of Mount Vernon 150 

Box Maze and Greenhouses 152 

The Walled Vegetable Garden 154 

The Family at Mount Vernon 156 

West Front of Mount Vernon Mansion 162 

The School Bouse \c>i 

Houdon's Bust of George Washington 172 

The Banquet Room 174 

The Library 180 

Facsimile of a Letter from George Washington .... 188 

Mount Vernon Mansion 10-2 

The Mansion and Some of the Small Buildings .... 208 

Eleanor ("Nellie") Parke Custis 212 

George Washington's Bedroom 220 

Martha Washington's Bedroom 228 

John Augustine Washington 236 

Bushrod Washington 2:>() 

Jane Washington and Members of Her Family .... 246 

George Washington's Tomb 250 

Ann Pamela Cunningham 256 

Mount Vernon Mansion a> It Appeared Just Before the Civil 

War 262 

The South Ha-Ha Wall 266 

A Section of the Lichen Covered Garden Wall .... 272 

Skeleton Model of Mount Vernon Mansion 276 



««m 



•Washington in a letter to Samuel Vaughan, dated \i\h November, 17R7, said: 
'The letter without date, with which you wen- pleased to honor mc, accompanied 
by a plan of this Beat, came to my bands by the last post. . . . The plan 
describes with accuracy the houses, walks, and shrubs, except in the front of the 
lawn, west of the courtyard. There the plan differs from the original. In the 
former you have closed the prosped with trees along the walk to the gate; whereas 
in the latter tin- trees terminate with two mounds of earth, one on each side, on 
which grow weeping willows, leaving an open and full view of the distant woods. 
Tin- mounds are sixty yards apart. I mention this, because it is the only de- 
parture from the original." 



INTRODUCTION 

To Dr. Johnson has been attributed the epigram, 
*'The most difficult thing in the world, sir, is to 
get possession of a fact"; and to few perhaps does 
this come home with more force than to those who un- 
dertake to extract the truth from the traditions and 
glamour of romance that have grown around so much of 
the life and customs of Colonial America. The gratifi- 
cation, perhaps the pride, engendered by the accounts 
that have come down to us of the imposing dignity of 
the lives of our Colonial ancestors and the elegance of 
their homes has sometimes received a rude shock as we 
have gazed for the first time on the "Mansions" in 
which they lived; and while, on the one hand, this is 
true; on the other, it is equally true that some of those 
old worthies whose names are scarce remembered, and 
who may perhaps " have sealed their letters with their 
thumbs," are shown by careful research to have pos- 
sessed homes as stately as any, and to have contributed 
as prodigally to Virginia's reputation for hospitality 
and heroism as did those whose names have gone sound- 
ing down the ages ; and as it is the task of the faithful 
historian to make " history as written accord with his- 
tory as performed," so in the field he has chosen to 
occupy, this is what Mr. Wilstach has endeavored to 
accomplish, and I believe he has achieved it. 

Much of what, in the past, has been said and written 



INTRODUCTION 

aboul Mount Vernon has been based on tradition, and 
while Mr. Wilstach's careful investigation has confirmed 
many of these traditions, some of what has been believed 
has been round not entirely accurate, and his patient 
research has brought to light much thai was not known. 
It was not an easy task, and those who feel an abiding 
interesl in the home of the Father of lus Country, and 
who appreciate faithful endeavor, will reeognize the 
debt due the author for his patient labor of love. 




MOUNT VERNON 



CHAPTER I 

Mount Vernon's Beginnings — The Doeg Indians — John Smith's 
Account of the Upper Tidewater Potomac — Leonard Cal- 
vert at Piscataway — Early Royal Grants of the Northern 
Neck — The English Washingtons — First Washingtons in 
Virginia — Washingtons and Fairfaxes Move Up the Potomac 
—Title to Hunting Creek Tract— The First Dwelling— The 
Fire — Lawrence Washington. 

MOUNT VERNON, the home and last resting 
place of George Washington, is situated on 
the Virginia shore of the Potomac River, in 
Fairfax County, fourteen miles south of the Capital of 
the United States. 

Its wide fame, the deep affection in which it is held, 
and the familiarity given it by written and painted 
history, make it difficult for the mind to erase the 
picture of Washington's home and think of its parked 
heights as virgin forest overlooking a sailless, undis- 
covered river. Yet less than one hundred and fifty 
years before it came into his hands, so far as is positively 
known, white man had never seen it. 

In Mount Vernon's early history events punctuated 
long series of years. The first title holders to these hills 
and meadows were the Doeg Indians, a tribe of the 
Algonquin race. Their remains have been unearthed 
on the rising ground near the river in very recent years. 
Their possession was secure and undisputed, when one 
day, around the broad bend to the west, there appeared 
a strange sail on an open barge. As it drew nearer it re- 

3 



4 MOUNT VERNON 

vealed a company of fifteen men with curiously un- 
familiar faces, n<»t the copper red of the native, but pale 
like none they had ever seen. It was John Smith and 
his hardy adventurers from Jamestown sailing by on 
their quest of "the head of this water you conceive to be 
endless." They pass again, out with the current and 
the tide, and history is silent about the upper waters of 
the Potomac for oxer a quarter of a century. 

Then in 1634 the white sails of the white man ap- 
peared again, up with the tide and fair wind from the 
faraway Chesapeake. This time there were two ships, 
the Port and a pinnace, belonging to Leonard Calvert. 
This first Governor of Maryland came with his two 
hundred pioneers to establish a colony on the eastern 
shore of the Potomac under the royal charter granted 
by King Charles II to Leonard's brother ('ceil. Lord 
Baltimore. They anchored only a mile above the 
future site of Mount Vernon, where the Piscataway 
meets the Potomac under the heights which are to be 
firsl the Warburton Manor lands of Neighbor Diggs an d 
later are to be crowned with the gray bastions of Fort 
Washington. 

Calvert found little encouragement from the Indians, 
and the beauty of the spot did not weigh against its 
isolation, over one hundred miles from the "centre of 
civilization" in the lower waters of the James. He, too, 
sailed down river to a permanent haven for his followers 
near the month of the Potomac, almost opposite the 
point on the Virginia shore where, a century later, was 
to be born the boy who would become the liberator of 
his country. 

The record of Calvert's cruise to the upper Potomac 



MOUNT VERNON 5 

is followed by another silence, this time for nearly forty 
years, for all that is told of explorations or settlements 
on the scene of this story. 

In the meantime there are fugitive glimpses of nearby 
activities of the white men, hunters and trappers, some- 
times outposts who guard the advancing frontier from 
the receding Indian. It seems always to have been a 
paradise for lovers of the rod and gun. Smith found the 
river country "much frequented with wolves, bears, 
deer, and other wild beasts .... in the course 
of our journeyings we also met with a few beavers, 
otters, bears, martens, and minks; and in divers places 
there was such an abundance of fish, lying quite thick, 
with their heads above the water, as our barge drove 
through them, that for want of a net we attempted to 
catch them with a frying-pan, but we found it a bad in- 
strument to catch fish with." While the brave captain 
was exploring above some shoals, "It chanced by reason 
of the ebb-tide, that our barge grounded on one of them, 
and there we must abide until the next tide came to 
float us. As I was looking in the waters, I espied many 
fishes lurking in the reeds, and for sport and pastime, to 
while away an hour, I amused myself by nailing them 
to the ground with my sword. This set all my crew 
following my example, and by this means we caught 
more fish in an hour than we could eat in a day." 

But civilization is on the way. Farther down river 
the clearings extend, advancing with the advancing 
century. The forests translate themselves into cabins, 
the young trees into snake fences, and soon the in- 
exhaustible clay gets itself baked into bricks for the 
planters' mansions, which are held together with the 



6 MOUNT VERNON 

finest of all mortar made of the burnt oyster shells taken 
from the beds of the tidal "creeks," which give endless 
diversity to the shores of the lower Potomac. Later, 
when time has aged these mansions and the restorer 
comes to repair their century-old walls, he will find that 
it is more frequently the bricks which yield and crack 
under the pick and hammer than the oyster-shell mortar. 

Until the early seventies the tracts along the west 
bank of the Potomac from Dogue's Creek to Little 
Hunting Creek were without recorded proprietors. 
Larger tracts of which this was a part were then granted, 
some say by the Crown and others say by the Royal 
Governor in Virginia. The recorders and later chron- 
iclers seem to contribute much confusion. Perhaps 
they are right, and the seventeenth century state of 
Northern Neck titles was confusing. 

Certain it is that Charles II in exile, without throne or 
crown, did grant to two tricky favorites, the Earl of 
Arlington and Lord Culpepper, "to be held by them for 
thirty-one years at a yearly rental of forty shillings," all 
the lands between the Rappahannock and the Potomac 
and known as the Northern Neck. Later this grant 
was withdrawn to be extended again on a larger scale to 
include "all that tract and territory, region and do- 
minion of land and water commonly called Virginia." 

Here was strong meat indeed for the stomach of 
freedmen. It would not digest and was one of the 
causes which begat Bacon's Rebellion. In spite of re- 
sentmenl their title seems to have been sustained, for 
Arlington conveyed his share of the proprietorship of 
Virginia to Culpepper, and the title deeds to Mount 
Vernon begin with a grant from Lord Culpepper "in the 



MOUNT VERNON 7 

twenty seventh year of the reign of our Sovereigne Lord, 
King Charles ye Second, Anno Domini 1674," to Lieu- 
tenant Colonel John Washington and Colonel Nicholas 
Spencer, of five thousand acres "scituate, lying and 
being in the County of Stafford" — which county had 
been cut off from Westmoreland and from a part of which 
Prince William and Fairfax counties were later created — 
"in the ffreshes of the Pottomeek River and neare oppo- 
site to Piscataway, Indian towne of Mariland." This 
Washington, known as John the Emigrant, was the 
great-grandfather of George of Mount Vernon, and was 
the first of George Washington's forebears to cross from 
England to America. 

The greatness of George Washington inflamed the 
imagination of his early biographers. If we cannot 
abide by their accuracy it is possible to be amused by 
their invention. One of them traces his line back 
through generations and centuries of noble and valiant 
ancestors, until he brings up at the throne of the hearty 
Scandinavian deity, Odin, "the god who gives victory." 
The name Washington is traced from de Wessynton, to 
Wessynton without the de, to Wasshington and Wash- 
ington. As last written it early appeared as the name 
of a parish in the County of Durham in England. The 
forebears of our Washington trace in a direct line 
through their namesakes of Sulgrave Manor, North- 
amptonshire, to John Washington of Warton, Lanca- 
shire. Beyond him is conjecture. After him the line is 
authentic. His son, the grantee of Sulgrave, was 
named Lawrence, and his name, like his father's, re- 
appears frequently in future generations. In the coat- 
of-arms engraved on this Lawrence's tomb in the church 




8 MOUNT VERNON 

at Sulgrave is found the three spur rowels above the red 
bars on a white field, which appeared as early as I860 in 
the seal of William de Wessyngton, and which are 
popularly regarded as having suggested the stars and 
stripes of the Bag of the United States. 

Lawrence of Sulgrave fell upon hard times and he was 
obliged to give up his manor house, whereupon his good 
friend and neighbor, Lord Spencer, in ICOb' built him the 
house in the village of Little Brington where he lived 
during the remaining years of his life. As already in- 
dicated, the names of Washington and Spencer are to be 
joined again, in another transaction involving a home, 
but in Virginia next time, in title deeds on which is 
founded the proprietorship of Mount Vernon itself. 

Washington House, as it lias been known and pointed 
out to pilgrims these hundred years, was afterward 
occupied by Lawrence's brother Robert and his family. 
After Robert's death Lawrence's widow came again, and 
lived there until 1636, when she went into Essex to 
make her home with her son, another Lawrence, who 
was rector of Purleigh. This son, the Reverend 
Lawrence Washington, M.A., married Amphillis Rhodes 
and their issue was six sons and daughters, among whom 
was John the Emigrant, and his brother, third of the 
name of Lawrence, and a sister, who both followed him 
to America. 

At this time England was in civil convulsion. ( Charles 
II was in banishment, and the Puritans of the eleven 
years' commonwealth were carrying government with a 
high hand. The Washington family were committed 
to the royalist cause, not merely by their holding of the 

Rectory of Purleigh, but by the traditional sympathies 



MOUNT VERNON 9 

inbred by generations of devotion to the crown. Poli- 
tics deprived the father of his parish in 1643, and, cast- 
ing about for opportunity and ease from petty perse- 
cution, his son John, and later his son Lawrence and the 
young men's sister, crossed the seas to the colony of 
Virginia as recited above. 

John reached Virginia about 1658. He did not come 
at once to the upper end of tidewater Potomac. His 
first plantation was in Westmoreland County between 
the Rappahannock and the Potomac, and it gave his 
name to the parish. Soon he married for his second 
wife Miss Ann Pope, and, where Bridges Creek meets 
the Potomac seventy miles down river from the present 
capital, he built a modest dwelling, later named Wake- 
field. Here were born their eldest son, Lawrence, and 
this Lawrence's eldest son, Augustine. 

The name of Washington appeared continually in 
colonial chronicles both of Burgesses and vestry. John 
Washington, the Emigrant, was a member of the House 
of Burgesses, and the recurrence of his name in con- 
nection with the business of the Assembly indicates that 
he took no unimportant part in its work. This was at 
Williamsburg. On Wakefield plantation, however, so 
far away from the gay little capital and so near the 
frontier, life during the last half of the seventeenth 
century was even and uneventful, save for brushes with 
the Indians and the struggle to force the forest back and 
make the good red clay yield its harvest. 

The family evidently rose to some estate, for, after a 
little more than fifty years in Virginia, it is able to send 
Augustine, John's grandson, to England to be educated. 
On his return he married Jane, daughter of Caleb But- 



10 MOUNT VERNON 

lor, of Westmoreland, who bravely wrote "Esquire" 
after his name. They had four children, but of them 
only Lawrence and Augustine lived beyond childhood. 
Jane Washington died in 1728. In less than two years 
Augustine married again, this time Mary, youngest 
daughter of < lolonel Joseph Ball. He brought her to liis 
Bridges Creek plantation overlooking the lower Poto- 
mac and soon the first blessing of this union was re- 
corded in the old quaint quarto Bible, now among the 
treasures at Mount Vernon, in these terms: 

It was a fruitful union. George's younger brothers 
were Samuel, John Augustine, and Charles, and his 
sisters were Elisabeth, who appears later as Betty, and 
Mildred, who died in childhood. 

Other lands than Wakefield had come into the hands 
of the great-grandfather of Lawrence and his half- 
brother George, as already noted in the grant from Lord 
Culpepper, the crown grantee. This five-thousand-acre 
holding of John Washington and Nicholas Spencer was 
nol divided until 1(190. Meantime John died and in his 
will bequeathed his half of this trad l<>hi> son Lawrence. 
The division thirteen years later gave him the eastern 
half, facing Little Hunting ('reck, and the Spencer 
family took the western half, facing Dogue Kim. 

This Laurence in his will bequeathed "all my land in 

*Waabington was born February 1 1 oldst] le, February 28 new style. See pageS17. 



MOUNT VERNON 11 

Stafford County, lying upon Hunting Creek . . . 
by estimation 2,500 acres," to his daughter Mildred. 
It has been stated that "Mildred died in infancy, and 
the Hunting Creek estate became the joint possession of 
the widow and two sons, until it fell to the survivor of 
them all, Augustine, about the year 1730." Another 
historian dismisses this transfer with the comfortable 
though indefinite remark that "we find. Augustine 
Washington ... in possession of one half of the 
above 5,000 acres in 1740." 

The transfer from Mildred to Augustine is definitely 
accounted for by a deed of May 26, 1726, from Mildred 
and her husband, Roger Gregory, to Augustine Wash- 
ington, "her brother," for "a moietie or half of five 
thousand acres formerly Lay'd Out for Collo Nicholas 
Spencer and the father of Capt Lawrence Washington 
Bounded as follows Begining by the River Side at the 
Mouth of Little Hunting Creek and Extending up the 
said Creek according to the several courses and Meand- 
ers thereof nine hundred Eighty and Six Poles to a 
mark'd A Corner Tree standing on the West side of the 
South Branch being the main branch of said Hunting 
Creek From there by a lyne of Mark'd trees west 
eighteen Degrees South across a W T oods to the Dividing 
Lyne as formerly made Between Madam Francis 
Spencer and Captain Lawrence Washington and from 
hence W by the said Lyne to ye River and with the 
River and all the Courses and Meanders of the said 
River to the Mouth of the Creek afor'sd." 

Augustine Washington moved up river and estab- 
lished his family on his Hunting Creek lands within a 
short time after George's birth, for Augustine's name 



1* MOUNT VERNON 

appears as vestryman of Truro Parish in 1735. Accom- 
panying tht- Washingtons came their friend William 
Fairfax, colonial agent of his eousin Lord Fairfax in Eng- 
land, on whose lands he settled, nearby his friends. 

The Fairfax estate was a long peninsula of nearly 
three thousand acres on the west side of Dogue Creek, 
and it was one of the finest set estates on the river. Its 
waterfront measured, by all its "corses and meanders," 
nearly ten miles. The high front jutted out into the 
deepest point of the river channel, and the creeks, which 
flanked it east and west, made it possible to enclose 
the entire acreage with little more than one mile of fence 
on its western side. On the glorious promontory over- 
looking the river William Fairfax built Belvoir, a great 
house destined to be the scene of much that was signifi- 
cant in the lives of both Lawrence Washington and his 
young brother George. 

Augustine's Hunting Creek plantation, derived orig- 
inally from Lord Culpepper, is described in his father's 
bequest of 1697 as "the land where Mrs. Eliza Mintou 
and Mrs. Williams now live." These are the earliesl 
recorded dwellers on the lands later to become so 
famous. It is a strange prank of the chronicles to call 
attention to two women dwelling in the wilderness, 
pioneers by nearly half a century of the next known 
resident. Where were their cabins— at the head of the 
creek secluded from the curiosity of river rovers, or 
standing boldly forth on the mount by the river, with a 
free sweep for miles above and below? 

From 1735, when Augustine Washington and Mary 
his wife came to this estate, it was continually owned 
and occupied by a Washington for one hundred and 



MOUNT VERNON 13 

twenty-three years, when the fame of the spot and the 
overwhelming rush of pilgrims grew beyond the en- 
durance of private ownership and it passed into the 
hands of the association of patriotic women who care for 
it now. 

With Augustine and Mary were their children George, 
Elisabeth, and Samuel, and possibly John Augustine, 
though he may have been born here. If Lawrence and 
Augustine, the elder half-brothers of these children, 
came to the new home it was for only a short time, for 
they soon went to England and entered the school at 
Appleby, up near the Scottish border, in the County of 
Westmoreland, for which their own native county in 
Virginia had been named. While living on the upper 
Potomac the family had been increased by the birth of a 
daughter, christened Mildred, who died in infancy. 

There seems to be no conclusive evidence to determine 
where Augustine built the first house on this tract. 
Some historians have accepted the conjecture that he 
cleared a homestead site and built a house alongside the 
mill which so long survived him, where the trickling 
branch met the tidal Dogue Creek. This use of the 
word creek for bay or inlet is common on all shores of the 
Chesapeake and its tributary rivers. The running 
feeder of the creek is more often called the run or branch. 
It was so in colonial days and it is the same to-day. 

Other chroniclers incline to the theory that Augustine 
reared his house on or near the site of the present man- 
sion. A third theory places it on the site of the green- 
house. Wherever it stood, the first home of the Washing- 
tons on this site was short-lived. It burned to the ground 
in 1739. There is no record that it was rebuilt. If 



14 MOUNT VERNON 

wc could see the letters that had been passing between 
Virginia and the Virginian schoolboys in English West- 
moreland it would perhaps be easier to understand 
why the father now gathered his young family about 
him again and moved to yet another Washington prop- 
erty, "Cedar Grove," the Ferry Farm, on the Rappa- 
hannock, opposite Fredericksburg. 

This thriving little city was no mean centre at this 
time. It was second in importance only to the capital 
at Williamsburg. It had no gold-laced governor, no 
busy burgesses, and no university, but it was a flourish- 
ing focus of trade and travel, at the junction of all the 
roads from the South with the Kingshighway which 
led to the northern colonies; not a bad place to keep in 
touch with the world. 

Augustine did not return to Westmoreland, because 
his second son and namesake was then home from Eng- 
land, or on his way, to marry rich Miss Aylett, and 
that property was intended for him. The Hunting 
Creek tract and the mill nearby he had in mind for his 
eldest boy, Lawrence, and to him he deeded it in 1740, 
.it the same time confirming the gift in his will. 

This Lawrence, the third of the name in America, 
becomes of particular interest to this narrative, for his 
is the first name definitely identified, as owner and 
occupant, with the historic mansion which overlooks 
the Potomac to-day. 



CHAPTER II 

What Lawrence Found on His Tract — Pioneer Buildings — Aban- 
dons His Estate for Military Service in the West Indies 
Under Admiral Vernon — Returns and Marries Anne Fairfax — 
Career of Lawrence Washington — Arrival of George to Make 
His Home at Mount Vernon — Parson Weems — Influences 
on George's Young Character at Mount Vernon and at 
Bel voir— The Original House— Who Built It?— The Corner- 
stone. 

WHEN Lawrence took possession of his estate 
"in the ffreshes of the Pottomeek river and 
neare opposite to Piscataway, Indian town of 
Mariland," there is no assurance that he found more than 
two important buildings. Of cabins for the slaves and 
shelter for the animals there was probably a plenty of 
some kind, but the enduring "improvements" were the 
mill back at the head of Dogue Creek and probably the 
old brick barn on the mount overlooking the river. 

The mill ground flour for over a century, and the 
ancients of the neighborhood can still remember it 
standing before the Civil War. Eventually it suc- 
cumbed to abandonment, though even to-day one 
traces its dimensions in the rounded banks left on the 
site of its foundations, which were pilfered piecemeal to 
help support many a younger house in the neighborhood. 
The mill is worth bearing in mind, for it will have its 
part to play in this story, and will be the last place on 
the estate visited by its chief personage before he died. 
The barn has fared better than the mill. It stands to- 

15 



16 MOUNT VERNON 

day stout and strong, the proud veteran of the village 
of buildings on either side of the howling green. 

There are various scraps of tradition about other 
pioneer buildings. Lossing speaks of "the original 
cottage" where hung "the dingy iron lantern" which 
during George's occupancy of the mansion lighted the 
hall. The lantern was taken to Arlington after Mrs. 
Washington's death, and after a long interval at the 
National Museum in the Capital City is again in the 
hall at Mount Vernon. There is a tradition in the 
Washington family that the lantern was given to Law- 
rence by Admiral Vernon. Where "the original cot- 
tage" stood or what became of it Lossing did not say. 
Moncure D. Conway says "an old house stood where 
Washington built his greenhouses in which probably 
the four years of his childhood there were passed," 
and asserts with certainty that Lawrence built Mount 
Vernon house. 

Whatever Lawrence found on his ("state when he 
came into possession, he seems to have had other ideas 
than settling down to the life of a planter. At twenty- 
two the heel is spry. Besides, the call had gone forth 
from the mother country for a quota of troops from her 
American colonies to reinforce General Went worth and 
Admiral Vernon, who were disciplining the West Indian 
Spanish. 

Lawrence received a captain's commission, departed 

with the colonial troops, fought at Carlhagena, sur- 
vived the fever scourge which swept away many times 
more than Spanish marksmanship, and returned to his 
Potomac estate in the autumn of 1742. 

What of his land in the interval? Did it await its 




Lawrence Washington 

Half-brother of George and reputed builder of Mount Vernon. From a painting 
in the possession of Lawrence Washington 



MOUNT VERNON 17 

master's coming untenanted and abandoned, or are 
we privileged to think of it still humanized by the pres- 
ence of the aged but undaunted Amazons of the frontier, 
Mrs. Minton and Mrs. Williams? 

His sympathy with a military career and his affection 
for his commanders, Vernon and Wentworth, were so 
strong that he displayed some restlessness on his return 
to Virginia and considered going to England and joining 
his regiment. But another and stronger affection had 
taken root in his heart, one that bound him to Virginia 
and his own neighborhood with tender but unyielding 
bonds. 

At the neighboring mansion of Belvoir there was more 
than a neighbor's welcome for him. William Fairfax 
had two daughters, and Lawrence spent the winter 
after his return in the most absorbing of all adventures, 
that of winning a wife. In the spring of 1743 he and 
Anne Fairfax, the elder of the two sisters, were prepared 
to be married, when he was summoned down to Cedar 
Grove, opposite Fredericksburg, by the illness and 
death of his father, and he became the head of the 
family in America. He was an executor of his father's 
will and devoted himself to his father's bequests. In 
July he went over to Belvoir, claimed his bride, and 
brought her to their home on the heights which, in 
remembrance of his admired commander, he named 
Mount Vernon. 

Nature is constant, and to-day the same outlook 
charms the eye from the Mount Vernon doorway that 
greeted Lawrence and Anne. Before them the river 
extended nearly a mile from the Virginia to the Mary- 
land shore. To the left it seemed to sweep toward 



18 MOUNT VERNON 

them through a break in a high ridge. Already the 
Digges family had reared Warburton Manor on tin- 
opposite point, where now rises Fort Washington, and 
at its foot broad Piscataway Creek, joining the Poto- 
mac, lay revealed along its more than two miles of 
length. The low Maryland shore opposite accented 
the height of Mount Vernon. To the right the river 
swept majestically to the southwest, passed the high 
green point of Belvoir, and was abruptly bended toward 
the south by the distant shore of Mason's Neck, where, 
hack on the highland, was soon to rise George Mason's 
Gunslon Hall. The panorama embraced nearly twelve 
miles of water. 

Mount Vernon stands on what is literally a mount, 
though to the casual observer the house appears to 
stand merely on a high hank, a part of a continuous 
shore-line elevation. The land in fact slopes away in all 
directions. On I he west it descends to the first river 
bottom elevation, which extends the mile and a quarter 
to Dogue's Creek. On the east it falls away to the 
water at its boundary, Little Hunting (reck, and on 
this side of the estate the west hank of the Potomac 
does not rise again to the same level until it reaches 
the highlands ;il Georgetown. On the north and west 
the elevation drops away to the broad valley through 
which runs the historic Kingshighway. 

Lawrence was twenty-five years old at the time of his 
marriage, and during the next ten years he developed 
into one of the important men of the colony. His 
marriage had united him to one of the great families 
of Virginia, for Anne was a cousin of Thomas Lord 
Fairfax, and her half-brother, Bryan, succeeded to the 



MOUNT VERNON 19 

title though he did not assume it. His landed posses- 
sions exceeded twenty-five hundred acres, for to his 
hereditary tract he added at least two hundred acres 
near the mill. The royal governor appointed him adju- 
tant of his military district, with the rank of major, 
though with a salary of only one hundred and fifty 
pounds a year, and he repeatedly represented his county 
in the House of Burgesses at Williamsburg. In 1750 he 
was made president of the Ohio Company, formed the 
year before to colonize the great wilderness of the Ohio 
Valley, under a royal grant of five hundred thousand 
acres. 

In his effort to carry out the work of the company 
of which he found himself the president he proposed 
introducing- German immigrants from the colony of 
Pennsylvania. Being dissenters, they ran into a net 
of double taxation by moving into the jurisdiction of 
Virginia, which was the occasion for Lawrence Wash- 
ington, in the face of the state establishment, to deliver 
what is one of the first, if not the first, appeals for relig- 
ious tolerance in the history of the colony of Virginia. 

"It has ever been my opinion and I hope it ever will 
be," he said, "that restraints on conscience are cruel 
in regard to those on whom they are imposed, and in- 
jurious to the country imposing them." 

Lawrence left no journals and few letters. There is 
little on which to found a picture of life at Mount 
Vernon while he was master. It could scarcely have 
been gay. Anne bore him four children, but not one 
lived beyond babyhood. 

To break their loneliness Lawrence's young brother 
George often came to visit them, sometimes sailing up 



20 MOUNT VERNON 

river from Westmoreland, oftcner on horseback over 
the road from his mother's place at Fredericksburg. 
These visits meant much to both brothers, for the 
affection which existed between them is often attested. 

Though George was merely in his mid-teens, he was 
Lawrence's eldest unmarried brother and the prospec- 
tive head of the family. A real intimacy existed between 
Lawrence of twenty-nine and George of fifteen, and it 
disclosed I he boy's promise to the elder's shrewd ob- 
servation. 

Such accounts of George's youth as have come down 
to us languish under the doubts of the historians. How- 
ever, that which cannot be proven need not be de- 
spised. Conway calls it "Washington Mythology, a 
folklore such as must always invest the founders of 
nations or the man of the people. Washington is en- 
titled to his Washington-lore, by which, indeed, he is 
rather draped than disguised." 

Lawrence saw him through no such illumination, lb- 
was doubtless not less amused than edified by the boy's 
first literary product, the astonishing Rules of Civility 
and Conduct, written when he was fourteen. If he left 
his brief schooling "a bad speller and a still worse 
grammarian," Lawrence knew him for a good cipherer, 
a skilful horseman, and a young man of firm grasp and 
sound judgment, of normal appetites, willingness, ap- 
plication, endurance, and thoroughness in work and 
play. 

There came a day in the autumn of 1747 when 
George arrived, not to visit merely, lie came to make 
Mount Vernon his home. It had in reality been familiar 
to him from his earliest recollection. His father had 




wd IfcLbij. 



Admiral Vernon 

For whom Lawrence Washington named his home on the Potomac. From ;m 

engraving ;it Mount Vernon 



MOUNT VERNON 21 

moved up river from Westmoreland when George was 
only three years old, too young to have left behind any 
permanent impressions, but old enough to enjoy his 
environment. It was the waters of Hunting Creek and 
Dogue Creek and the fields and woods between which 
were the background of his first boyhood experiences. 

Here "in his sixth year," according to Parson Weems, 
he acted the immortal scene of the cherry-tree and the 
hatchet, a piece of boyish h roism it is pleasant to see 
growing again into some standing as history after the 
long reaction against its acceptance. Parson Weems 
was a victim of his own florid, extravagant style. The 
incidents he related very probably did not happen as he 
related them, but stripped of the halo of romantic 
morality he gave them, in merely following a literary 
fashion of his time, there is little reason to discredit 
them. The writer had excellent opportunity to gather 
the facts of George's boyhood at first, or, at most, 
second hand. He knew him, man and boy, well. For a 
time he officiated at Pohick Church, which the Mount 
Vernon family attended and which he erroneously, but 
with an eye to the main chance, called "Mount Vernon 
Parish " on his title page. Moreover, he was an intimate 
of Washington's intimates and married Fanny Ewell, of 
Belle Aire, whose mother was a near relative of Wash- 
ington's. Perhaps she was the anonymous lady from 
whom he acknowledges having received the cherry-tree 
story. 

Until he returned to Mount Vernon to live George had 
four homes among which he divided his time. The 
schooldays were spent at his mother's house on the 
Rappahannock. The earlier vacation days he spent at 



22 MOUNT VERNON 

his birthplace, Wakefield, down on the Westmoreland 
shore of the Potomac, visiting his half-brother, Augus- 
tine, whom lu v called Austin. His mother's home was 
somewhat austere. There was another kind of life at 
Wakefield, kept up by his rich sister-in-law's money. 

It was at Belvoir and Mount Vernon, however, that 
lie found the stimulating and refining influences which 
reacted on his character. Lawrence was a far-travelled 
man. lie had been to school in England and had fought 
in the West Indies. In the adventures he recounted 
there was fuel indeed for a hungry boyish curiosity. 
Vessels of His Majesty's navy came up the river and 
anchored off Mount Vernon, and the officers, among 
whom were some with whom Lawrence had fought at 
( Jarthagena, came ashore. Over the punch and toddy, 
through the haze of smoke rolling from the long church- 
wardens, while the candles burned bright, there was 
brave talk enough, of campaigns and strategy, to fire 
the imagination of the listening lad of fifteen. 

At Belvoir he came under another influence, that of a 
polished English household, no negligible substitute for 
that trip abroad which lie was never privileged to take. 
At his mother's there was the discipline and the sound, 
simple morality which strengthened the root and branch 
of his character, but at Mount Vernon and Belvoir he 
found an outlook on a broader world of experience and 
culture which produced the bloom I hereon. 

The Mount Vernon that young George came to was 
far from being tlic extensive mansion which he left fifty 
years later and which the pilgrim finds to-day. There 
was no spreading village of outbuildings. The big 
brick barn and only a few frail sheds and cabins for the 




2 



MOUNT VERNON 23 

slaves stood detached from the house. There were 
no colonnades flung from the ends, no lofty portico 
on the river front, and the house itself was only a 
portion of the mansion into which it later expanded. 

The history of the house is easily read in the evidence 
in the building itself, and George Washington's letters 
confirm the conjectures of the architectural archeologist. 
Detach the present banquet hall on the north and the 
library on the south, together with the second story 
thereof, and the developments of the third story, and 
the original house remains. Then, as to-day, there was 
the central hall extending from western front to river 
front, but divided at that time by a partition midway 
between the two doors on each of the sides. On each 
side of the hall were two rooms. The same stairway 
wound gracefully to the second floor, where the small 
upper hall opened into the four large bedrooms over the 
four large rooms below, and a small room matched the 
space at the east end of the hall. It was not accounted 
a large house for a colonial country gentleman of 
family. 

The foundations were of sandstone. The cellar ex- 
tended the full length and breadth of the house, with 
partition walls of brick held by oyster-shell mortar. 
This stone is showing age in a way that might be 
translated into an argument for the theory that they 
held up Augustine Washington's house which burned 
in 1739. Years and whitewash have destroyed all 
charred traces, if there were any. But the damp, 
which creeps into the cool cellar in the hot summer and 
is evaporated by the artificial heat introduced over the 
past twenty winters, is having a curious pulverizing 



24 MOUNT VERNON 

effect which the severe baking in an early fire might 
explain. 

Midway of the central north and south alley there 
was found in the west wall, years ago, a carefully en- 
graved stone called "the corner stone." It may be 
seen to-day under -lass in one of the upper rooms of the 
mansion, whither it has been removed out of danger of 
the disintegrating effects <»i" the damp and heat. A 
copy, cut to scale, has been inserted in the place of the 
original in the cellar wall. The stone is twenty-three 
inches long, by seventeen and one-half inches high, by 
six inches thick. In the centre of the carved face are 
two crossed battle-axes in whose angle is engraved a 
heart. On either side of the axes are the initials of 
Lawrence Washington, "L. W." It adds to the enigma 
of the original builder, for apparently only he himself 
would have put his initials on the cornerstone. Those 
who advance his father, Augustine, as the builder of 
Mount Vernon say that he intended the house for this 
son and they claim the initialled stone as evidence of their 
theory. 

In one corner of the original cellars, the one to the 
southwest, there is a well opening filled up but clearly 
defined. A curious place to put a well, it would seem, 
but conditions at the time explain. It is said to have 
been the custom in the colonies, at least for houses in the 
new country on the frontier not far from the receding 
[ndians, to dig a well under the house, so that in case of 
barricade againsl attack or in case the women of the 
family wanted water in the absence of the menfolk, there 
would be a protected supply in reach without risk. 

The original hand-hewn oak beams are apparently as 



MOUNT VERNON 25 

strong to-day as when laid in. There, too, are the stout 
oak pins with which they were put together. Nails 
were not admitted to the larger timbers of the colonial 
house. It is only in the lighter pieces of the trim and in 
the broad planked floors that nails appear. They were 
handwrought, in a forge on the place as a rule, and their 
heads were long and exceeding thin. 

There is nothing to gainsay the belief that George 
saw these cellars dug and walled; the huge oaks felled 
and hewn and pinned in place; the walls reared and 
roofed and the whole put under the protection of the 
coats of white lead and oil, for the house was a part of all 
his life. 



CHAPTER TIT 

Lawreneo Plans George's Career — Letter of Uncle Josepb Ball — 
Fox limiting willi Lord Fairfax — -Absent Surveying in The 
Valley— Sentimental Manifestations Military Tutors at 
Mount Vernon -Lawrence 111 Lawrence and George Sail 
for Barbadoes — Return and Death and Will of Laurence — 
George Master of Mount Vernon. 

A PROPER career for George was one of the topics 
much discussed at Mount Vernon at this time. 
^ His two advisers were Lawrence and Lord Fair- 
fax, who had come to Virginia and made his home with 
his cousin William nearby at Belvoir. 

Lawrence had fancied a career at sea, hoping that, 
after some experience before I lie mast, some influence 
might be controlled to secure a commission in the 
Royal Navy. George yielded to the romance of this 
idea. His father is said to have followed the sea in 
earlier days. His trunk was packed, and there is said 
to have been a vessel anchored below the house on 
which he was to have shipped. I lis mother, however, 
was (.1' another mind. When the project was firsl 
broached she wrote to her brother, a London lawyer, 
and from all accounts she arrived at Mount Vernon 
with his reply at the last moment before her boy's 
departure. 

The letter. Carefully Considered, dissipates the myth 

that Lawrence had actually secured a midshipman's 
commission in the navy. Moreover, it gives some 

to 








The Corneb Stone <>i Mount Vernon 

The original stone was found in the walls of the cellar in a crumbling condition. 

To prevent further disintegration if was removed, a duplicate was inserted 

in its plaee, and the original stone is preserved under cover in an upper 

chamber of the Mansion. It is here reproduced for thefirsl time 



MOUNT VERNON 27 

gauge of the Washington family's sphere and influence; 
and of George's expectations; and is sound, direct, vig- 
orous, and refreshing: 

"I understand that you are advised and have some 
thoughts of putting your son George to sea. I think 
he had better be apprenticed to a tinker, for a common 
sailor before the mast has by no means the common 
liberty of the 'subject; for they will press him from a 
ship where he has fifty shillings a month and make him 
take twenty-three, and cut, and slash, and use him like 
a negro, or rather like a dog. And, as to any consider- 
able preferment in the navy, it is not to be expected, 
as there are always so many gaping for it here who have 
interest, and he has none. And if he should get to be 
master of a Virginia ship (which it is very difficult 
to do), a planter that has three or four hundred acres 
of land and three or four slaves, if he be industrious, 
may live more comfortably, and leave his family in 
better bread, than such a master of a ship can. . . . 
He must not be too hasty to be rich, but go on gently 
and with patience, as things will naturally go. This 
method, without aiming at being a fine gentleman be- 
fore his time, will carry a man more comfortably and 
surely through the world than going to sea, unless it 
be a great chance indeed. I pray God keep you and 
yours. 

"Your loving brother, 

"Joseph Ball." 

This cleared the air. George remained at home and 
devoted himself to his studies, among which mathe- 
matics was the most congenial; to sports; somewhat 



28 MOUNT VERNON 

to sentimental matters; and a great deal to the com- 
panionship of his elders at home and at the mansion 
across Dogue Creek. 

The fox, like the Indian, and certain other aborigines 
mentioned by John Smith, has been pushed westward. 
He still furnishes sport in the hills and in certain parts 
of The Valley, but he is no longer enough in evidence in 
Fairfax to maintain fox-hunting in its place in the 
country gentleman's life that it held in Washington's 
youth. It w r as in fact the boy's favorite sport. Lord 
Fairfax was equally fond of the chase, and together 
they hunted Reynard over the hills and meadows, 
through fields and woods, for days at a time. The 
climate of Virginia and the country life of the period 
invited to the open air. 

It was in the saddles that these two boon compan- 
ions became best acquainted, Washington silent and 
attentive, his lordship sharing with him the treasures 
of a rare mind well stocked with rare experience. Lord 
Fairfax was a graduate of Oxford, his family gave him 
easy access to the best society of London, and he had 
been a contributor to Mr. Addison's Spectator. It is 
said that he was jilted on his wedding day for a higher 
title. His disappointment and chagrin seemed to 
change his whole outlook on society. Journeying to 
Virginia to see his vast land holdings, administered 
by William of Bel voir, lie was so delighted witli what 
Im- saw that he later took up his home on his estate 
in the lower Shenandoah Valley, where lie lived into his 
ninetieth year. 

The companionship and interest of such a patron 
was the most fortunate substitute for the university 



///ru/i/- Vern 




| ** /ft'';/ - 



1 <** A A .1 



Survey of Mount Vernon 

Made by George Washington when a boy, about 174(5. The original is in the 
Library of Congress. Note the house in the left upper corner, without the addi- 
tions made during the Revolution. The plantation at that time comprised the 
east half of the original grant of 5,000 acres to Nicholas Spencer and John Wash- 
ington extending along the Potomac River from kittle Hunting Creek to Dogue 
Creek. George Washington later purchased the west half and other adjoining 
lands so that eventually his Mount Vernon estate comprised more than eight 
I housand acres 



MOUNT VERNON 29 

education and sojourn abroad, so much affected by 
other young colonial gentlemen, that could have come 
to an open and serious mind of Washington's years. 

It was at Lord Fairfax's suggestion that he took up 
surveying as a career. After charting Mount Vernon 
and Belvoir, he set out to survey his lordship's thou- 
sands of acres in The Valley. 

He left Mount Vernon early in March, 1748, and was 
absent a month and two days. The journal of this 
trip is not without its amusing passages. Of the 15th 
and 16th of March he writes: 

"We got our suppers & was Lighted into a Room & 
I not being so good a woodsman as ye rest of my com- 
pany, striped myself very orderly and went into ye 
Bed, as they calld it, when to my surprize, I found it 
to be nothing but a little straw matted together without 
sheets or anything else, but only one thread bear blan- 
ket with double its weight of vermin, such as Lice, 
Fleas, &c. I was glad to get up (as soon as ye Light 
was carried from us.) I put on my cloths & lay as my 
companions. Had we not been very tired, I am sure 
we would not have slep'd much that night. I made a 
Promise not to sleep so from that time forward, chusing 
rather to sleep in ye open air before a fire, as will appear 
hereafter. 

"Wednesday 16th. We got out early & finish'd 
about one o'clock & then travelled up to Frederick 
Town, where our Baggage came to us. We cleaned 
ourselves (to get Rid of ye Game we had catched ye 
night before) . I took a Review of ye Town & then re- 
turn'd to our Lodgings where we had a good Dinner 



30 MOUNT VERNON 

prepared for us. Wine & Rum Punch in plenty, & a 
good Feather Bed with clean sheets, which was a very 
agreeable regale." 

One day's journey from home, on his return, lie did 
"this day sec a Rattled snake, ye first we had seen in 
all our journey." No doubt he was better acquainted 
with the black snakes and moccasins of Fairfax. On 
the l.Sth of April, he notes: "Mr. Fairfax got safe 
home and I Myself to my Brothers, which concludes 
my journal." 

One of two letters written on this trip shows his 
interest growing in another direction: 

"DearFrikxd Robin, 

"As it's the greatest mark of friendship and esteem, 
absent friends can show each other, in writing and 
often communicating their thoughts, to his fellow com- 
panions, I make one endeavor to signalize myself in 
acquainting you, from time to time, and at all times, 
my situation and employments of life, and could wish 
you would take half the pains of contriving me a letter 
by any opportunity, as you may be well assured of its 
meeting with a very welcome reception. My place of 
residence is at present at his Lordship's, where I might, 
was my heart disengaged, pass my time very pleasantly 
as there's a very agreeable young lady lives in the same 
house, Colonel George Fairfax's wife's sister.) But 
as that's only adding fuel to tire, it makes me the more 
uneasy, for by often, and unavoidably, being in com- 
pany with her revives my former passion for your 
Lowland beauty; whereas, was I to live more retired 

from young women, I might in some measure eliviate 



MOUNT VERNON 31 

my sorrows, by burying that chaste and troublesome 
passion in the grave of oblivion or etarnall forgetful- 
ness, for as I am very well assured, that's the only 
antidote or remedy, that I shall ever be relieved by or 
only recess that can administer any cure or help to me, 
as I am well convinced, was I ever to attempt any 
thing, I should only get a denial which would be only 
adding grief to uneasiness." 

From which it seems George did not take seriously 
Lord Fairfax's warnings about women, of whom, as has 
been seen, his lordship's early experience had made him 
as suspicious and bitter as later on Tony Weller was of 
"vidders." 

At Mount Vernon these were quiet and uneventful 
years. In this the life on the estate only reflected the 
calm of the colony. There was no war on at the time 
with French or Indian, no trouble with colonial governor, 
and not yet any acute trouble with the mother coun- 
try. There was peace, plenty, and growth. Lawrence 
devoted himself to his estate and to his public offices as 
adjutant of the militia, member of the House of Bur- 
gesses, and president of the Ohio Company. 

George, though still in his nonage, pursued his career 
as surveyor in earnest. It is said that he had an office 
in the small but important city of Alexandria, on 
the Potomac six miles above Mount Vernon, and that 
he rode back and forth over the rolling country on 
horseback. In the summer of 1749 he was appointed 
surveyor of the County of Culpepper, just west of 
Fredericksburg. His surveyor's tripod may be seen 
in the library at Mount Vernon. 



3* MOUNT VERNON 

At this time every day's absence must have been an 
anxiety, for his brother, who had been to him friend 
and father as well, began to develop the weakness of 
the lungs which was his eventual undoing. The win- 
ters of 1750 and 1751 were full of foreboding for those 
at Mount Vernon. In the spring Lawrence felt obliged 
to resign his commission as adjutant and succeeded in 
having George appointed in his stead. 

So at nineteen and at Mount Vernon began his mili- 
tary career. "He now set about preparing himself, 
with his usual method and assiduity," says Washington 
Irving, "for his new duties. Virginia had among its 
floating population some military relics of the late 
Spanish war. Among them was a certain Adjutant 
Muse, a Westmoreland volunteer, who had served with 
Lawrence Washington in the campaigns in the West 
Indies, and had been with him in the attack on Car- 
thagena. He now undertook to instruct George in the 
arts of war, lent him treatises on military tactics, put 
him through the manual exercises, and gave him some 
idea of evolutions in the field. Another of Lawrence's 
campaigning comrades was Jacob Van Bramm, a 
Dutchman by birth, a soldier of fortune of the Delgatty 
order; who had been in the British army, but was now 
out of service, and, professing to be a complete master 
of fence, recruited his purse in this time of military ex- 
citement, by giving the Virginian youth lessons in the 
sword exercise. Under the instructions of these 
veterans, Mount Vernon, from being a quiet rural re- 
treat, where Washington, three years previously, had 
indited love ditties to his 'lowland beauty,' was sud- 
denly transformed into a school of anus, as he practised 




The Ruins of the Old Tomb 

Which (ieorge Washington liuill as executor of his half-brother Lawrences wil 

and in which the General and other members of the family were buried until 

the New Tomb was finished in 1831. From an original pencil sketch 

made on the spot in is M) now in the Library of ( 'ongress 




The Old Tomb 
Restored in 1887, as it appears to-day 



MOUNT VERNON 33 

the manual exercise with Adjutant Muse, or took lessons 
on the broadsword with Van Bramm." 

Lawrence remained at home during the warm Vir- 
ginia summer, but, as the autumn approached, he was 
advised to seek a change. Barbadoes, the most easterly 
of all the West Indies, was selected as a healthy and 
agreeable resort, and thither he sailed the middle of 
September. His wife had a baby less than a year old in 
her arms, and in her stead George accompanied his 
brother on the stout sailing vessel which carried them 
the length of the Spanish Main, consuming, in the 
leisurely fashion of wind-driven travel, over six weeks 
from the Potomac to Barbadoes. 

This was not the first time a Washington set foot on 
this island. Another of this name, some say John, the 
Emigrant, great-grandfather of the two young travellers, 
stopped here on his way from England to Virginia, nearly 
a hundred years before, in 1658. This, however, was 
the only time that George Washington went outside the 
confines of his own country. 

The two brothers were apparently much missed at 
Mount Vernon, and Lawrence felt keenly the separation 
from his wife. He decided to remove to Bermuda for the 
spring and dispatched George home to get Mrs. Washing- 
ton and bring her to him there. George "embarked on 
the Industry, Captn Saunders," for Virginia on Decem- 
ber 12th, only a few days after his release from the 
quarantine imposed on him by an attack of smallpox. 
He reached home through pounding seas on the 1st of 
February. 

For some reason Lawrence's wife did not leave home. 
It was a trying springtime at Mount Vernon. George 



34 MOUNT VERNON 

had not brought encouraging news from the invalid. 
Soon significant letters came from Bermuda, tempering 
the edge of llieir surprise when Lawrence hurried home 
"in time to die under his own roof, surrounded by his 
family and friends," the 26th of July, 1752. 

This was the first poignant sorrow of George's life. 
lie had been really too young to realize his loss when his 
father died, and Lawrence meant more to his sum of 
happiness, experience, and advancement than any other 
member of the family. George looked up to him with 
affection and confidence. His brother's death was, in- 
deed, one of the crucial events of his life. It placed 
him in a position of independence and responsibility. 
Henceforward he walked alone. It marked his tran- 
sition from boyhood to manhood. 

They laid Lawrence by the side of his three infant 
children in the family burying ground on the estate. He 
seems, however, to have felt the need of something more 
ambitious and permanent, for in his will he directed 
"that a proper vault, for interment, may be made on my 
home plantation, wherein my remains together with my 
three children may be decently placed; and to serve for 
my wife, and such other members of my family as may 
desire it." 

As executor of his brother's will, George faithfully ful- 
filled this wish. He built the vault on the brow of the 
hill about two hundred yards south of the house and in 
plain view of the south windows. It was built of brick 
and sandstone and survives to-day, with its arched en- 
trance over oak doors. It sinks into the green bank in 
such a way that it seems a part of the hillside. There 
Lawrence and his children were laid, and it received and 



MOUNT VERNON 35 

held the remains of the family who died at Mount 
Vernon for nearly one hundred years. 

The disposition of Mount Vernon was partially pro- 
vided for in the will of Augustine, father of Lawrence 
and George, in this: 

"Item Forasmuch as my several children in this my 
will . . . cannot inherit from one another in order to 
make a proper Provision ag l their dying without Issue, It 
is my will and desire that in Case my son Lawrence 
should dye without heirs of his body Lawfully begotten 
that then the Land and the Mill given him by this my 
Will lying in the County of Prince William shall go & re- 
main to my son George and his heirs." 

Lawrence in his will expressed his "will and desire" 
that his wife should have the "benefits and profits" of 
Mount Vernon estate during her lifetime. To his 
daughter Sarah, who at the time of his death was less 
than a year old, he did "give and bequeath" all his real 
and personal estate in Virginia and Maryland "not 
otherwise disposed of," which included Mount Vernon. 
But in case his daughter died without issue he gave 
"unto my loving brother George Washington" all his 
lands in Fairfax (formerly a part of Prince William) 
County. 

Little Sarah died in September. Anne was welcome 
in the house which now virtually belonged to her 
brother-in-law, but it had been a home of disappoint- 
ment, suffering, and grief, and she preferred to return to 
Bel voir. She seems to have enjoyed the "benefits and 
profits" of Mount Vernon, for, soon after this, having 



30 MOUNT VERNON 

married George Lee, the uncle of Charles and Richard 
Lee, her husband joined her in a deed to George which 
indicates that her young brother-in-law bought her life 
interest : 

"We the parties of the first part grant to the party of 
the second part the life interest of Ann Lee, widow of 
Lawrence Washington, in two parcels of land, one 
situated on Little Hunting ("reek, the other on Dogue 
Creek in Fairfax, of which Lawrence Washington died 
seized, also one Water Grist Mill, also certain Slaves — in 
consideration that Geo Washington during the natural 
life of Ann Lee, do each year pay to her husband, Geo 
Lee — on the 25th of December, the sum or quantity of 
fifteen thousand pounds of tobacco in fifteen hogsheads, 
to be delivered at one or some of the Warehouses in Hie 
Co of Fairfax, or as much current money of Virginia in 
lieu thereoff as will be equal thereto at twelve (12) 
shillings & six pence current money, for every hundred 
weight of tobacco." 

Thus George, heir to Mount Vernon and executor of 
his brother's will, at twenty, wisely completed his title 
to his estate. 




CHAPTER IV 

Absences from Home — Military Expeditions to the Ohio — Mary 
Washington's Last Visit to Mount Vernon — Organizing the 
Household— Political Aspirations — John Augustine Wash- 
ington the First Manager — Off to the West with Braddock — 
Military Career Unremunerative — Home with Extended 
Fame, General Braddock's Battle Charger and Bishop — Wo- 
men Who Might Have Been Mistress of Mount Vernon — 
Washington Made Commander of All Virginia Troops — A 
Winter's Illness at Mount Vernon, Not Without Compensa- 
tion. 

HE story of Mount Vernon during the next 
seven years is not notably eventful. Its new 
master was a bachelor, the leading strings of 
his developing career drew him easily away from his 
home, and he has not left in his letters evidence that he 
was even preparing to organize his estate into anything 
approaching the perfected condition which it reached 
later and which became the wonder and the admiration, 
and in some degree perhaps the despair, of those who ap- 
preciated what he overcame in meagre resources and 
service. 

He was a constant visitor to the Fairfaxes at Belvoir, 
to George Mason's family at Gunston Hall, and to the 
Ewells of Belle Aire, where he often stopped on his way 
to see his mother and sister Betty at Fredericksburg and 
to keep in touch with others of the family thereabouts. 
On the 4th of November, 1752, he was initiated into the 
secrets of Masonry at Fredericksburg, though later he 

37 



38 MOUNT VERNON 

affiliated with the lodge at Alexandria, so much more 
conveniently near his home. 

A m i^t n ^s for Mount Vernon was continually in his 
thoughts. Women had a ureal attraction for him from 
his earliest youth. His early diaries and letters are full 
of sentimental confidences. 

Perhaps at this lime his attack of "pleurise" had 
passed and he continued on down to the lower tidewater 
home of Betsy Fauntleroy, as lie promised tier fattier in 
this letter of the previous May: 

"Sir: I should have been down long before this, but 
my business in Frederick detained me somewhat longer 
than I expected, and immediately upon my return from 
thence I was taken with a violent pleurise, which has 
reduced me very low; but purpose, as soon as I recover 
my strength, to wait, on Miss Betsy, in hopes of a 
revocation of the former cruel sentence, and see if I 
can meet with any alteration in my favor. I have 
enclosed a letter to her, which should be much obliged 
Id you for the delivery of il. 1 have nothing to add 
but my best respects to your good lady and family." 

Betsy, however, seems to have been unwilling to 

revoke tier "former cruel sentence," and so his de- 
tached domestic situation made it easier to accept 
(iovernor Dinwiddie's difficult commission to bear his 
protest to the encroaching French on the far western 
frontier of the Ohio. It may almost be believed thai 
for the ne\l I wo years he made no etl'ort to keep Mount 

Vernon in commission as a place of residence, for he 

frequently passed it by on his way between Alexandria 



MOUNT VERNON 39 

and Fredericksburg without mention of visiting his es- 
tate, though the highroad ran near his western boundary. 

In his diary of the Ohio expedition in 1753 he begins 
by noting: "I arrived [November 1st] at Fredericks- 
burg and engaged Mr. Jacob Vanbramm, to be my 
French interpreter; and proceeded with him to Alex- 
andria, where we provided Necessaries. From thence 
we went to Winchester" This diary of his two months' 
absence draws to a close with this note, of January, 
1754: "On the 11th I got to Bel voir: where I stopped 
one Day to take necessary Rest; and then set out and 
arrived in Williamsburg the 16th." 

On these occasions he was within two miles of his 
own house. Yet it is scarcely to be believed that he 
crossed over even while stopping the day at Belvoir, 
for in mid-January boating on tidewater Potomac 
is made treacherous by cold high winds sweeping down 
the "creeks" when the river is not actually impassable by 
reason of the ice which sometimes grips its entire sur- 
face. 

Soon after his return from the West he was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant Colonel and ordered to return to the 
Ohio in command of a military expedition which Gov- 
ernor Dinwiddie sent at the end of March "to aid 
Captain Trench in building Forts and in defending the 
Possessions of his Majesty against the attempts and 
hostilities of the French." It was the beginning of the 
Seven Years' War. 

"It was strange that in a savage forest of Pennsyl- 
vania," says Thackeray in "The Virginians," "a young 
Virginian officer should fire a shot and waken up a war 
which was to last for sixty years, which was to cover his 



40 MOUNT VERNON 

own country and pass into Europe, to cost France her 
American colonies, to sever ours from us, and create 
the great Western Republic; to rage over the Old 
World when extinguished in the New; and, of all the 

myriads engaged in the vast contest, to leave the prize 
of the greatest fame with him who struck the first 
blow!" 

Washington fought through the summer in the West, 
but a military order from Dinwiddie made it impossible 
for him to serve longer with self-respect. He resigned 
his commission and returned to Mount Vernon, where 
he arrived in October, remaining almost continuously 
until March. 

Whatever his other occupations during the winter, 
he seems not to have been free of his chronic entangle- 
ment of the heart, for a friend, one of the officers at 
Williamsburg, wrote him: 

"I imagine you by this lime plung'd in the midst of 
delight heaven can afford and enchanted By Charmes 
even Stranger to the Cyprian Dame." (Mrs. Neil.) 

The arrival of the spring of \755 seems to have found 
some sort of menage established in the house, for, hav- 
ing been invited by ( Jeneral Braddock to accompany his 
expedition to the West, lie writes from home, in a letter 
toOrmc, the General's Aide-de-Camp: 

"The arrival of a good deal of company (among 
whom is my mother, alarmed at the report of my in- 
tentions to attend your fortunes) prevents me the 

pleasure of waiting on you to-day, as 1 had intended. " 



MOUNT VERNON 41 

This was Mary Washington's last appearance at 
Mount Vernon. She retired to Fredericksburg, where 
she spent the rest of her days, at first at her farm across 
the Rappahannock but, later, near her daughter Betty 
Lewis' "Kenmore," in the centre of the little city, in a 
house which her son George bought for her. He 
visited her whenever he passed through Fredericks- 
burg and wrote to her always with high but somewhat 
formal affection. 

Though this visit to Mount Vernon, to persuade her 
son to keep out of the military service, was her last 
appearance there, it was not her last protest on this 
same score. In August she besought him again not to 
endanger his life in farther armed exploits. He re- 
plied from Mount Vernon: 

"Honored Madam, 

"If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, 
I shall; but if the command is pressed upon me, by 
the general voice of the country, and offered upon such 
terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect 
dishonor upon me to refuse; and that, I am sure, must 
or ought to give you greater uneasiness, than my going 
in an honorable command, for upon no other terms will 
I accept of it. At present I have no proposals made to 
me, nor have I any advice of such an intention, except 
from private hands." 

In the letter to Orme quoted above he said of the 
domestic situation at his home : 

"I find myself much embarassed with my affairs, 
having no person in whom I can confide, to entrust the 



42 MOUNT VERNON 

management of them with. Notwithstanding, I am 
determined to do myself the honor of accompanying 
you, upon this proviso, thai the General will be kind 
enough to permit my return, as soon as the active part 
of the campaign is at an end, if it is desired; or, if 
there should be a space of inaction, long enough to 
admit a visit to my home, that I may be indulged in 
coming to it." 

Orine replied : 

'The General orders me to give his compliments, 
and to assure you his wishes are to make it agreeable 
to yourself and consistant with your affairs, and, there- 
fore, desires you will so settle your business at home, as 
to join him at Will's Creek, if more convenient for you; 
and, whenever you find it necessary to return, he begs 
you will look upon yourself as entire master, and judge 
what is proper to be done." 

Free to return as necessity might compel, he prepared 
to turn his back again on the comforts and interests of 
his estate. Three days before setting out to accompany 
Braddock he wrote from Mount Vernon, under date of 
May 25, 1755, to William Byrd, whose fame survives, 
not merely as master of Westover on the James, where 
he gathered the finest library in the colony, but as 
"the great Virginia wit and author of the century": 

"I am sony it was not in my power to wait upon you 
at Westover last Christmas. I enjoyed much satis- 
faction in the thought <>f doing it, when an unexpected 
accident put it entirely out of my power to comply 



MOUNT VERNON 43 

either with my promise or inclination, both of which 
prompted me to make the visit. 

"I am now preparing for, and shall in a few days set 
off, to serve in the ensuing campaign, with different 
views, however, from those I had before. For here, 
if I gain any credit, or if I am entitled to the least coun- 
tenance or esteem, it must be from serving my country 
without fee or reward; for I can truly say, I have no 
expectation of either. To merit its esteem, and the 
good will of my friends, is the sum of my ambition, 
having no prospect of attaining a commission, being 
well assured it is not in Gen'l. Braddock's power to 
give such an one as I would accept of. The command 
of a Company is the highest commission vested in his 
gift. He was so obliging as to desire my company this 
campaign, has honored me with particular marks of 
his esteem, and kindly invited me into his family — a 
circumstance which will ease me of expenses that 
otherwise must have accrued in furnishing stores, camp 
equipage, &c, whereas the cost will now be easy (com- 
paritively speaking) as baggage, horses, tents, and some 
other necessaries, will constitute the whole of the charge. 

"Yet to have a family just settling, and in the con- 
fusion and disorder mine is at present, is not a pleasing 
thing and may be hurtful. Be this as it may, it shall be 
no hindrance to my making this campaign." 

The "family just settling" was that of his younger 
and favorite brother, John Augustine, father of the 
next owner of Mount Vernon. He wrote his brother 
frequently during his absence, usually subscribing 
himself, "Dear Jack, your most affectionate Brother." 



44 MOUNT VERNON 

In an early letter George expresses the hope that his 
brother "will have frequent opportunities to particu- 
larize the state of my affairs, which will administer 
much satisfaction to a person in my situation." 

In another he indicates his first interest in politics: 

"As I understand the County of Fairfax is to be 
divided, and that Mr. Alexander intends to decline 
serving it. I should be glad if you would come to 
Colo. Fairfax's intentions, and let me know whether 
he purposes to offer himself as a candidate. If lie 
does not, I should be glad to take a poll, if I thought my 
chances tolerably good. 

"Majr. Carlyle mentioned it to me in Williamsburg 
in a bantering way, and asked how I would like it, 
saying, at the same time, he did not know but they 
might send me, when I might know nothing of the 
matter, for one or t'other of the counties. I musl 
confess I should like to go for either in that manner, 
but more particularly for Fairfax, as I am a resident 
there." 

His reply to John Augustine, on receiving the report 
of his own death, is one of the evidences that he was 
not without a healthy humor when he chose to disclose 
it: "As I have heard, since my arrival at this place, a 
circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, 
J take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, 
and of assuring you, that I have not as yet composed 
the Ial ter." 

The fruit of the sacrifices he made in his absences 
from Mount Vernon, during the three years since it 



MOUNT VERNON 45 

became his, he sums up vigorously to his half-brother, 
Augustine, on his return from the Braddock campaign 
at the end of July : 

"I was employed to go on a journey in the winter 
(when, I believe, few or none would have undertaken 
it), and what did I get by it? My expenses borne! I 
then was appointed, with trifling pay, to conduct a 
handful of men to the Ohio. What did I get by this? 
Why, after putting myself to a considerable expense, in 
equipping and providing necessaries for the campaign, I 
went out, was soundly beaten, lost them all ! — came in 
and had my commission taken from me, or, in other 
words, my command reduced, under pretence of an order 
from home ! I then went out a volunteer with General 
Braddock, and lost all my horses and many other things; 
but this being a voluntary act, I ought not to have 
mentioned this; nor should I have done it, was it not to 
show that I have been upon the losing order ever since I 
entered the service, which is now near two years. So 
that I think I cannot be blamed, should I, if I leave my 
family again, endeavor to do it upon terms as to prevent 
suffering; (to gain by it being the least of my expecta- 
tion)." 

Futile and tragic as had been Braddock's whole cam- 
paign, Washington came out of it with added distinc- 
tion. An amusing and intimate proof of this is found in 
a note which was brought to Mount Vernon the day 
after his arrival. The master of Bel voir wrote begging 
his appearance at his house on Sunday, intimating that 
if he did not come, "the Lady's will try to get Horses to 



16 MOUNT VERNON 

equip our Chair or attempt their strength on Fool to 
Salute you, so desirous are they with loving Speed to 
have an occular Demonstration of your being the same 
Identical Gent that lately departed to defend his 

( Country's Cause." 

With this arrived the following appeal signed by Sally 
Fairfax, Ann Spearing, and Elizabeth Denl : 

"Dear Sin: After thanking Heaven for your safe 
return I must accuse you of greal unkindness in refusing 
us the pleasure of seeing you this night. I do assure you 
thai Dothing l>ut our being satisfied that our company 
would be disagreeable should prevent us from trying if 
our Legs would carry us to Mount Vernon this night, hut 
if you will not come to us to-morrow morning very early 
we shall be at Mount Vernon." 

There was another Sally Fairfax besides the signer of 
the Belvoir round-robin. She was born Cary and was 
the wife of George's friend, George William Fairfax. If 
George had had Jus way she would have succeeded Aim 

as chatelaine of Mount Vernon. However, he was a 
persevering lover and is said to have proposed at 
varying times to Mary Gary, who afterward married 
Edward Ambler; to Lucy Grymes, who later became 
Mrs. Henry Lee, mother of "Lighthorse Harry"; and 
to Mary Philipse, a New York Tory who (led to Eng- 
land on the outbreak of hostilities with the mother 
country. 

Accompanying Washington to Mount Vernon on his 
return from the Braddock expedition was a servanl 
who deserve^ some introduction, for he henceforth be- 



MOUNT VERNON 47 

came a figure in his master's life and one of the historic 
characters of his home. 

His name was Bishop. He was an English soldier 
who accompanied Braddock to America. The General 
observed superior qualities in the man and made him his 
military servant. When Braddock fell he made some 
effort to repair his neglect of the young Virginia 
Colonel's sound advice. The dying soldier presented 
his battle charger to Washington, the only one of four he 
rode in the fatal battle of the Monongahela to survive, 
and he commended to his service and care the faithful 
Bishop. The two rode together across the mountains 
to Mount Vernon and only once afterward did Bishop 
leave the neighborhood except to accompany his 
master. 

A proof of the colony's appreciation of Colonel Wash- 
ington's performance under Braddock came within a few 
months when there arrived at Mount Vernon his com- 
mission as commander of all the Virginia forces. He 
was soon off, and during the two years following he was 
rarely at home. 

In August of the next year, 1756, however, he pe- 
titioned the Governor for leave to return to the Poto- 
mac, " As a general meeting of all the persons concerned 
in the estate of my deceased brother is appointed to be 
held at Alexandria about the middle of September next, 
for making a final settlement of all his affairs; and as I 
am deeply interested, not only as an executor and heir 
to part of his estate, but also in a very important dis- 
pute, subsisting between Colonel Lee, who married 
the widow, and my brothers and self, concerning 
advice in the will which brings the whole personal 



48 MOUNT VERNON 

estate in question." The trip was in vain, "the As- 
sembly having called away the principal persons con- 
cerned." 

After another year on the frontier he hurried back 
again the next September, 1757, to attend the funeral of 
"Col. Fairfax." It is not surprising he should have 
made this long trip, under necessity of hurrying directly 
back, for it was William Fairfax he came to bury, 
father of Anne, the first mistress of Mount Vernon, 
the friend of his earliest recollections when the two 
families came up river to Dogue Creek neighborhood 
together. 

His friends found him somewhat changed under 
the stress of his long military campaigns. Soon after 
his return to his service duties he was stricken with 
an illness which obliged him to return home again, 
where he arrived in November. He was attended by 
his friend, Charles Green, doctor at once of physic and 
divinity, the Mount Vernon family physician and rector 
of their parish Church of Pohick. Instead of abating, 
the disorder became so aggravated that early in the 
new year Washington wrote that he had "too much 
reason to apprehend an approaching decay." But good 
Doctor Green had him up and on his feet and oil' again 
before April. 

Much of significance in the story of his home was to 
happen before Mount Vernon saw him again. In May 
he hurried to Williamsburg with his report on affairs in 
the West. He was accompanied by the now inseparable 
Bishop. On his way to the capital, in ending the ferry 
over the Pamunkey River, the south branch of the 
York, he most miraculously fell in with "one Mr. 



MOUNT VERNON 49 

Chamberlayne, who lived in the neighborhood," and 
insisted on the traveller resting at his house as his 
guest. Colonel Washington submitted amiably to 
being captured and led off, but before the day was done 
he had been twice captured. 



CHAPTER V 

A Chapter Wholly Away from Mount Vernon — Most Significant 
to Its History — Bishop's Vigil — Dinner at Mr. Chamber- 
layne's — Martha Dandridge Custia — Her Family — Early Life 
— George Washington and Martha Custis Betrothed — Off to 
the West — Letters — Restoring Mount Vernon in Its Master's 
Absence — The Wedding — Honeymoon at the Six-chimney 
House in Williamsburg — Washington in the House of Bur- 
gesses—Bringing the Bride to Mount Vernon — Curiosity of 
the Neighbors and Retainers — The Arrival — Martha Wash- 
ington Mistress of Mount Vernon. 

THERE is only one account of that significant 
day in the life of Washington and the future 
mistress of Mount Vernon. It is handed down 
by the grandson of "the charming widow": 

"The colonel was introduced to various guests (for 
when was a Virginian domicil of the olden time without 
guests?), and above all, to the charming widow. 
Tradition relates that they were mutually pleased on 
this their first interview, nor is it remarkable; they 
were of an age when impressions are strongest. The 
lady was fair to behold, of fascinating manners, and 
splendidly endowed with worldly benefits. The hero, 
fresh from his early fields, redolent of fame, and with a 
form on which 'every god did seem to set his seal, to 
give the world assurance of a man.' The morning 
passed pleasantly away. Evening came, with Bishop, 
true to his orders and firm at his post, holding his 

50 



MOUNT VERNON 51 

favorite charger with one hand, while the other was 
waiting to offer the ready stirrup. The sun sank in the 
horizon, and yet the colonel appeared not. And then 
the old soldier marvelled at his chief's delay . 
for he was the most punctual of all men. Meantime, 
the host enjoyed the scene of the veteran at the gate, 
while the colonel was so agreably employed in the 
parlor; aud proclaiming that no guest ever left his house 
after sunset, his military visitor was, without much dif- 
ficulty, persuaded to order Bishop to put up the horses 
for the night. The sun rode high in the heavens the 
ensuing day, when the enamored soldier pressed with his 
spur his charger's side, and speeded on his way to the 
seat of government." 

The remarkable lady whose attractions captivated 
the marvel of punctuality and caused his servant a vain 
vigil was Mrs. Martha Dandridge Custis. Though this 
is represented as her "first interview" with Washington, 
it is hardly to be believed that they were unknown to each 
other. Her town and country houses were respectively 
in and near Williamsburg. Washington was in the capi- 
tal at least twice every year between October, 1753, and 
November, 1756, in all on six different occasions. His 
growing fame and the official nature of his visits to 
Williamsburg made him a conspicuous figure even now 
in his twenty-sixth year. In this instance introduction 
was a shallow formality. 

Martha Custis was one of the most admired young 
matrons in lower tidewater. She was Washington's 
junior by a few months. Her girlhood home was in 
New Kent at the head of the York River. The social 



MOUNT VERNON 

life of the young women of thai time began at an age al- 
mosl inconceivable now, so it is small wonder to road 
that, when according to modern ideas she should have 
been in the uursery, or at most in the school-room, she 
was "presented" in Williamsburg "during the admin- 
istration of Governor Gooch." There's a whole pan- 
orama in the phrase, for in the picturesqueness of bro- 
cade and laces, jewels and smallswords, powdered 
coiffures and tie-hack wigs, indeed in all the formality of 
manner and observance, the Royal Governors in the 
Colony of Virginia held a veritable court . 

When sixteen Martha Dandridge engaged the at- 
tentions of Daniel Parke Custis, in point of antecedents 
and persona] character one of the most desirable bache- 
lors in their neighborhood, in the large sense of the far- 
flung neighborhood of those days. At seventeen she 
became his bride. They were married one June day 
in 1749, at St. Peter's Church, near the White Bouse, 
their home in New Kent. Vaughan Kester, in "The 
Prodigal Judge," hints amusingly at the tradition that 
the titles of the old-time Southern planters might be 
read in the number of chimneys on their houses. If, 
as his Yancy said they did, two chimneys breveted a man 
colonel and four raised him to the rank of general, 
what shall l>c said of the magnificent rank of a man 
whose house stood supported by six chimneys? The 
Williamsburg house of the Custises was known as the 
Six-chimney House. Between the two homes they 
spent the eight years of their married life. Two chil- 
dren, John Parke and Martha, survived their father. 

Their mother, widowed ;it the age of t went y-fi\ <\ Was 

in her own right one of the rich women of the colony. 




' • ■ ■■ i HI f •.<; flBM Ol • '.■••' • < ■ ' ■ i i. 

Prom the portrait ' Peale painted al Mount V'ernoi 

now hanging in Waahingf on awl I> I ;fon Virginia f Sw p. 1 1 4.) 



MOUNT VERNON 53 

The day after her first meeting with Washington he 
rode gayly forward to the Capital and represented 
"the fortunes of our officers at Winchester" with all 
possible speed, for there was a strong lure in his heart 
and he hastened his return overland to the White 
House on the Pamunkey for his second meeting with 
pretty Mrs. Custis. His entire stay in the East was 
brief; not more than a fortnight, it is said. But when 
he turned his horse's head westward early in June and 
began his journey back to the mountains, he took with 
him the promise which insured Mount Vernon a mis- 
tress as soon as he could conclude his military service 
and come and bear her away to his home at the head 
of tidewater Potomac. 

The mails in those days were irregular and uncertain, 
even over the well-travelled coastwise highways. The 
carriage of letters to and from the frontier, as anything 
beyond the Shenandoah Valley was called at that time, 
must have been quite irresponsible enough to try the 
two lovers' souls. Yet what messages passed between 
them then or afterward was made a secret forever when 
later Martha destroyed the letters she had from George. 
By some chance at least one escaped and is preserved. 
It is of this period of their engagement, and was sent her 
as he was putting added miles of uncertain wilderness 
between them. Self-possession was characteristic of 
Washington, as boy and as man, but there is a gravity in 
this letter which, coupled with its tenderness, indicates 
apprehension for his issue from this military expedition : 

"We have begun our march for the Ohio. A courier 
is starting for Williamsburg, and I embrace the op- 



54 MOUNT VERNON 

portunity to send a few words to one whose life is now 
inseparable from mine. Since that happy hour when 
we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have 
been continually going to you as another Self. That 
an all-powerful Providence may keep us both in safety 
is the prayer of your ever faithful and affectionate 
friend." 

An entire other mood is reflected in the letter written 
James Wood about the same time, when Washington 
heard that he was elected to the House of Burgesses: 

"If thanks flowing from a heart replete with joy and 
Gratitude can in any Measure compensate for the 
fatigue, anxiety and Tain you had at my Election, be 
assured you have them; 'tis a poor, but I am convinced, 
welcome tribute to a generous Mind. Such, I believe 
yours to be. How shall I thank Mrs. Wood for her 
favorable Wishes, and how acknowledge my sense of 
obligations to the People in general for their choice 
of me, I am at a loss to resolve on. But why? Can I 
do it more effectually than by making their Interest 
(as it really is) my own, and doing everything that 
lyes in my little Power for the Honor and welfare of 
the Country? I think not; and my best endeavors 
they may always command. I promise this now, when 
promises may be regarded, before they might pass as 
words of course." 

Washington's great-grandfather, John the Emi- 
grant, his own father and his half-brother Lawrence, 
sat in the lower house of the Assembly at Williamsburg. 



MOUNT VERNON 55 

It has been seen how three years before he wrote his 
brother John at Mount Vernon of his willingness to 
put his name up for election to represent his home 
county of Fairfax, if his chances were "tolerably good." 
When the call did come it was not from Fairfax but 
from Frederick, his headquarters during many months 
of his military service on the frontier. From this 
time he held his seat as Burgess consecutively for nearly 
fifteen years. Until 1765 he represented Frederick 
County, and after that until the outbreak of the Rev- 
olution he was returned by Fairfax County. 

One of Washington's first thoughts after the happy 
conclusion of his sentimental errand to the White House 
was of the future home of the bride. Mount Vernon 
in 1758 was substantially as when built except that it 
was the worse for fifteen or more years of wear. Though 
absent on the frontier, Washington wrote directions 
for a thorough renovation of the villa, as it was called 
at the time. 

His brother John had moved from the estate. The 
house was empty. Reports of the progress of the im- 
provements sent him from Mount Vernon show that 
Humphrey Knight was in charge of the farms, William 
Poole operated the mill when there was water in the 
branch to turn the wheel, and the rebuilding of the 
house was pushed forward by John Patterson. From 
time to time George William Fairfax came over from 
Belvoir, overlooked the work of Patterson and the 
carpenters, supplied hewed and sawed lumber from 
his stock when Washington's was delayed in coming 
from other directions, and wrote him frequent neigh- 
borly letters about the details of the rebuilding project. 



56 MOUNT VERNON 

The house seems not to have been enlarged at this 
time, but it was thoroughly rebuilt, inside and out. 
Fifteen thousand bricks were burned on the place, the 
house was raised on its foundations and new founda- 
tions were placed under it. New weather-boarding, 
newly painted, freshened up the outside; the windows 
were all reglazed; and new sheathing and shingles wen! 
on to the root'. Inside there was a deal of ripping out 
of old plaster and laying on of new, closets were built 
in, and the floors upstairs and the stairway into the 
attic gave Colonel Fairfax and Patterson much con- 
cern. 

"For with regard to the Garrett Stairs," wrote Col. 
Fairfax, "I am at a loss unless I know whether you 
intend that for Lodging Apartments for Serv ts . If not. 
the Stairs may be carried from the left hand room, 
which you design for Lumber, without- making it 
publick." Considering the dilemma of whether to 
plane down the old floors or to lay new ones, Patterson 
wrote with an indication of honesty: "Its just y e Nail 
holes of y; latter, looks but indifferent, but y^ Joynts 
makes amends for that; & in me would be base to take 
it up, when I am confident, its not in my power to 
lay a better one, y; Stuff of it being dry, & when playnd 
over will have much a better look." But in spite of 
tliis Colonel Fairfax decided on new floors and the 
planks were senl over from Belvoir. 

Two new small houses were built at this time. In 
the absence of any written evidence of where they stood, 

it is caw to locate them by regular and identical sub- 
merged foundations, below the present turf, at equal 
dist ances from the west front, and equidistant from the 



MOUNT VERNON 57 

front door. The little houses were razed when later 
the additions were made to the villa and the curved 
colonnades were flung out at either end. The submerged 
foundations define the little houses of this time as 
having stood just west of the extreme ends of the pres- 
ent enlarged mansion. They were probably connected 
with the villa by some architectural device — wall, 
lattice, or colonnade. 

No doubt when winter closed in and the villa and 
its complementary little houses were completed they 
presented a neat and comfortable appearance. In 
whatever he did Washington's taste did not err at 
either end of parsimony or extravagance. 

There were letters from others at Mount Vernon, 
one in particular which the Colonel must have passed 
about for the amusement of his staff. Those were 
days of irresponsible spelling and use of capital letters. 
But William Poole the miller in addressing his "hon- 
ourabel Comal," disclosed real imagination in the use 
of these tools of expression. Punctuation he ignored 
altogether. Here is Poole's phonetic masterpiece: 

"Most honourabel Cornal this with Great Sub- 
mishon and i hope with out a fens and i hope your 
honour is in good health, i have hear made Bold to 
let you no the Qualatys of your mill i have in gande now 
gaind 604 Barels of Corn and Sixteen Barels of wheat 
and have in gaind a Great Deal of Custum from 
meariland as well as heare and now She fails for want of 
water By reason of a good Deel of Dry weather which 
makes me Sorry that i cant grind faster for your Cus- 
tumers and by havein so Cloes in ploy with the mill the 



58 MOUNT VERNON 

fore part of the year it has hind ard me from tendin 
the ground which i was to have and by M r John Wash- 
ington Desiers i throd up the ground to humphry 
Knight and M r John Washington told me he would 
be bound your honour would Sattis fy me for it in which i 
make no Dout of your honours goodness as i am reaDy 
to obay and have in a Large famalea to maintane i musl 
in Deaver for a maintaneance for them in which i hope 
youre honour wont tak it amiss and that you will 
bepleast to let me no in time if i am to minde the mill 
agane and upon what tirms as i Can maintane my 
famalea i be in very willin to serv your honour with out 
liurtin my Self the hors which your Brother put here 
Dy d witli a Distemper which is a great Dis a point- 
ment to the meariland Custumars and now Sur i must 
begg a line ar to from your honour that i ma no what 
i have to Doo up on which i Shall rely, and so to Con- 
clud from your humbel Servant at Command 

Willim Poolk miller 
July ye 9 : 1758 
To 
The Honourabel Curnal George 
Washington — att Win Chester or 
Elsewheare 

This. 

The end of the campaign in the West terminated the 
frontier troubles with the French, and Washington was 
free to fulfil with honor his earlier purpose to resign his 
commission. This ho did on his return to Williamsburg 
in December, 1758. lie did not again take up his sword 
until the Colonics called him from his retirement at 



MOUNT VERNON 59 

4 

Mount Vernon, nearly seventeen years later, to lead 
their army in the War of Independence. 

The termination of the war with the French meant 
more to Washington than merely his return to civil life. 
It brought the consummation of those promises ex- 
changed the previous spring. He and Martha Custis 
were married in January, 1759. 

There is so little that is definite and authentic about 
this event, so important in this story, that it is not easy 
to reconstruct a detailed picture of the interesting oc- 
casion. The Rev. Mr. Mosson, rector of St. Peter's, 
performed the ceremony. The exact date was lost 
for nearly a hundred years, when it was picked out of 
a letter written by Mrs. Bache to her father, Benjamin 
Franklin, and dated January, 1779. She wrote: "I 
have lately been several times invited abroad with 
the general and Mrs. Washington. He always in- 
quires after you, in a most affectionate manner, and 
speaks of you highly. We danced at Mrs. Powell's on 
your birthday, or night, I should say, in company to- 
gether, and he told me it was the anniversary of his 
marriage; it was just twenty years that night." 

Dr. Franklin was born on January 17, 1759, by the old 
calendar in vogue at the date of his daughter's letter. 
The discrepancy between the old and the new calendar 
was eleven days, which fixes Washington's wedding day 
on the sixth of January. 

The place where they were married is still undeter- 
mined. Washington Irving, Bishop Meade, and Ben- 
son J. Lossing say at Mrs. Custis' residence, the White 
House on the Pamunkey. Worthington Ford and 
Henry Cabot Lodge say at Saint Peter's Church. The 



00 MOUNT VERNON 

bride's own grandson avoided the controversy. As all 
the accounts of the festivities at the White House that day 

are based on tradition, his recital is apt to be as depend- 
able as any. And much had he heard of that marriage, 

he said, "from gray-haired domestics who waited at the 
board where love made the feast and Washington was 

the guest. And rare and high was the revelry, at that 
palmy period of Virginia's festal age; for many were 
gathered to that marriage, of the good, the great, the 
gifted, and the gay, while Virginia, with joyous ac- 
clamation, hailed in her youthful hero a prosperous and 

1 nippy bridegroom. 'And so you remember when 
Colonel Washington came a courting of your mistress?' 
said the biographer to old Cully, in his hundredth year. 
'Ay, master, that I do,' replied the ancient family 
MTvant, who had lived to see five generations; 'great 
times, sir, great times! Shall never see the like again!' 
'And Washington looked something like a man, a 
proper man; hey, Cully?' 'Never seed the like, sir; 
never the likes of him, tho' I have seen many in my day; 
so tall, so straight! and then he sat a horse and rode 
with such an air! Ah, sir; he was like no one else! 
Many of the grandest gentlemen in their gold lace were 
at the wedding, but none looked like the man himself! ' ' 

Mrs. Pryor, in her life of the mother of Washington, 
says Martha's wedding gown "was thus described by one 

of the guests: a white satin quilt, over which a heavy white 
silk, interwoven with threads of silver, was looped back 
with white satin ribbons, richly brocaded in a leaf pal- 
tern. Her bodice was of plain satin, and the brocade was 

fastened on the bust with a stiff butterfly bow of the 

ribbon. Delicate lace finished the low, square neck. 




Mrs. George Washington 

From an engraving of the original painting by John Woolaston 
Now hanging in Washington and Leo University, Lexington, Virginia 



MOUNT VERNON 61 

There were close elbow sleeves revealing a puff and frill 
of lace. Strings of pearls were woven in and out of her 
powdered hair. Her high-heeled slippers were of white 
satin, with brilliant buckles." 

There is at Mount Vernon one surviving link between 
that event and what can be conjectured of it. It is pre- 
served at this writing in the cabinet in one of the upper 
chambers, known as the Green Room, a quaint old pin- 
cushion made of a piece of Martha Custis' wedding dress, 
and from it may be confirmed at least that portion of the 
anonymous guest's description which says that it was 
brocaded satin and was white and was threaded with 
silver. 

The honeymoon was spent in Williamsburg. To-day 
the old town is a diminishing echo of the sprightly capi- 
tal of the middle of the eighteenth century. The 
venerable buildings of William and Mary rise in proud 
consciousness that it is the second oldest college in the 
country. The Raleigh Tavern, where the "dissolved" 
Burgesses met in defiance of their Royal Governor, still 
stands and nearby is old Bruton Church shepherding its 
yard of colonial notables. But gone is the House of 
Burgesses where Washington sat a part of every one of 
fifteen consecutive years. Gone is the Governor's palace, 
scene of so much viceregal splendor, social and official. 
Gone are the old mansions where the worthies lived and 
made the capital so gay; among them Martha Custis' 
Six-chimney House. Near the place where it was stands 
a yew tree, and the visitor is told that it was planted by 
her own hand. In the days of this story the Six-chim- 
ney House stood bravely forth one of the handsome 
mansions of the little capital. Here the young couple 



62 MOUNT VERXOX 

spent the first months of their honeymoon. Martha had 
never been to Mount Vernon, and keen as was her curi- 
osity to see her new home it had to wait on the readjust- 
ment of her affairs and her husband's attendance upon 
his first session of the House as a Burgess. 

Already a man of extended land possessions, Wash- 
ington, by his marriage, found himself a well-provided 
man in other respects. Besides Mount Vernon's 
twenty-five hundred acres, he owned the paternal farm 
on the Rappahannock and thousands of acres beyond 
the mountains, part of the bounty land which the colony 
paid its soldiers. His wife's estate was described by her 
lawyer as "large and very extensive," and he had urged 
her to engage a steward, but "none except a very able 
man though he should require very large wages." Her 
grandson estimated that, "independently of extensive 
and valuable landed estates," she received fifteen 
thousand pounds from Mr. Custis. Elsewhere the 
widow's third is described as equalling "fifteen thou- 
sand acres of land, a good part of it adjoining the city of 
Williamsburg; several lots in the said city; beween two 
and three hundred negroes; and about eight or ten 
thousand pounds upon bond." 

If he found the partnership of material advantage, so 
did she. He was one of the ablest administrators of his 
time, and how devoted he was as husband to her and as 
father to her children and grandchildren will be seen. 

Not less engrossing than the Colonel's readjustment 
of her business affairs were Mrs. Washington's prepara- 
tions in closing one and opening another domestic 
period in her life. The old houses were to be abandoned, 
and she was preparing to settle her family in a new and 



MOUNT VERNON 63 

distant home. Those were the days of water travel. 
The boats were loaded at the landing near the mansion 
with the furniture and bulkier baggage, and sailed out 
of the York and up the Potomac. No such leisurely 
conveyance for the master and mistress. Time was 
valuable to them. Only the speediest form of travel 
would satisfy. As soon as the Burgesses rose, the 
Colonel, his bride, and her two children, with their at- 
tendants and light luggage, flew across country in their 
own coach, behind four galloping thoroughbreds, whips 
cracking and dust clouds rolling, faster and faster, but 
not so fast as their eagerness to reach the house of his 
promise and her hope. 

Mount Vernon and its neighborhood were on their 
part in a high state of expectancy. First the engage- 
ment and then the wedding had supplanted every other 
topic and curiosity fed on the dire poverty of informa- 
tion about the bride. To those on the estate she was 
an entire stranger whom they were nevertheless eager to 
welcome on their trust in the master's choice. It was 
long before the day when a photograph might have 
satisfied the curious. Even Daguerre was fifty years in 
the future with his sensitized silver plates. The only 
acquaintance they had with her was built from bits out 
of letters of varying dates to numerous people. She 
was "plump," of "medium height," with "hazel eyes 
and brown hair," "hot tempered," "over-fond, pos- 
sessed of many amiable beauties of disposition." 

When the wedding day was announced it was be- 
lieved at Mount Vernon that they would come there at 
once. But when the Assembly was pleaded for a delay 
in the South, it was seen to be fortunate that she 



64 MOUNT VERNON 

was not to have her first homecoming over the bottom- 
less clay of January roads, and arrive amid the desola- 
tion of leafless, shivering winter into an unwomaned 
house. Expectation was willingly transferred 1<> May, 
when the birds, the blossoms, and the balmy days and 
nights of spring would create a more fitting atmosphere 
for the bride. 

That was the incomparable month when Martha first 
knew Mount Vernon. Advance riders with thesmalllug- 
gage brought word that the great coach was on the way. 
Another courier hurried ahead from Fredericksburg with 
the detailed directions for every trifle of preparation, as 
was Washington's wont, while he remained long enough 
to rest the bride at Sister Betty's Kenmore House in the 
centre of town and then take her across the Rappahan- 
nock to his mother's farm thai she might know her new 
daughter. On the last lap of the trip Belle Aire invited 
a stop with a welcome from the Ewells and Graysons. 
Thru forward again, across the head of Belmont Bay on 
Colchester Ferry, over the highlands past the old parish 
church, down Michael Reagen's lull, through another 
valley with two or three branches to ford, up the long 
hill at the west end of Colonel Fairfax's lands, and, as 
the road descends again, with the Potomac in sight at 
the right, an interminable valley on the left, its long 
reach lost in the purple haze of the distant hills, and 
before them the glistening white villa on the high hori- 
zon three miles to the east, they came on to their own 
domain. They were home again, and for forty years 
neither knew any other place by that hallowed name 
except Mount Vernon. 



CHAPTER VI 

Settling in Mount Vernon — Development of the Domestic Life on 
the Plantation — Martha Washington as a Housekeeper — 
Mount Vernon Grows into a Village — The Spinning House 
— The Laundry — The Dairy — The Smokehouse — The Kitchen 
— Shopping in London by Way of the Tobacco Ships — Wash- 
ington's Taste — Daily Routine — The Beginnings of Sixteen 
Years of Home Life and the Upbuilding of the Estate. 

WITH the arrival of the master and the new mis- 
tress life at Mount Vernon took on a new as- 
pect. During the previous seven years the 
mansion had been occupied only occasionally, there 
seems to have been no ordered life on the place, and 
none of the development under which it soon blossomed 
into one of the first estates of the colony. During 
these seven years the master was absent almost con- 
tinuously on the western frontier. Even the exten- 
sive repairs, which he planned in anticipation of bring- 
ing home his bride, had been made in his absence. 

Mount Vernon now became a house of life and gayety. 
The estate was developed and enlarged. The sixteen 
years following the arrival of Martha in the spring of 
1759, until the outbreak of the Revolution in 1775, was 
the longest period of the Washingtons' uninterrupted 
life at home. 

Writing to England in the year of his marriage, 
Washington said: "I am now I believe fixd at this 
seat with an agreable Consort for Life. And I hope to 

65 



66 MOUNT VERNON 

find more happiness in retirement than I ever experi- 
enced amidst a wide and bustling World." He would 
like to have visited the land of his ancestors and the 
capital of the mother country, but he admitted the 
restraint on his further freedom: "I am now tied by 
the leg and must set Inclination aside." 

Mrs. Washington had brought with her to Mount 
Vernon the two children of her former marriage: Martha 
and John Parke Custis. Washington became their 
guardian. His home was their home, and by all the 
ties except blood there was an affectionate union be- 
tween them which went a long way to compensate him 
for his childless marriage. 

These four were the nucleus of a busy and exten- 
sive life on the estate. The gradual accumulation of 
shoemakers, tailors, smiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, 
masons, charcoal burners, farmers, millers, hostlers, 
house and outside servants, and overseers, all with 
their families, constituted an army of several hundred. 
Everything and everybody that had no relation to the 
"big house," as the master's dwelling on a Virginia 
estate has always been called, fell under the direct 
jurisdiction of Colonel Washington. This phase of 
life at Mount Vernon will be considered later in is 
detail and development. The house servants and all 
those connected with the domestic side of life in the 
big house were the responsibility of Mrs. Washington. 

She was a woman of methodical habits, with real love 
For domestic management, and a Dative energy which 
kept her hands busy at all times. Even when she sat 
down to \i>it or rest the knitting needles danced under 
her chubby fingers. 




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MOUNT VERNON 67 

Her grandson gives this brief sketch of her domestic 
life: "In her dress though plain, she was so scrupu- 
lously neat, that ladies often wondered how Mrs. Wash- 
ington could wear a gown for a week, go through her 
kitchen and laundries, and all the varieties of places in 
the routine of domestic management, and yet the gown 
retained its snow-like whiteness, unsullied by a single 
speck. In her conduct to her servants, her discipline 
was prompt, yet humane, and her household was re- 
markable for the excellence of its domestics." 

Near the big house grew up little houses for all sorts 
of domestic offices and manufacture. In one the shuttle 
bobbed back and forth through the great loom, in 
another buzzed a whole battery of spinning-wheels. 
In one year at Mount Vernon one man and four girls 
wove "eight hundred and fifteen and three quarters 
yards of linen, three hundred and sixty five and one 
quarter yards of woollen, one hundred and forty four 
yards of linsey, and forty yards of cotton, or a total 
of thirteen hundred and sixty five and one half yards." 
Later, when other hands were added, the list of manu- 
factured cloths included: "Stripped woolen, woolen 
plaided, cotton striped, linen, wool-birdseye, cotton 
filled with wool, linsey, M.'s & O's, cotton-India 
dimity, cotton jump stripe, linen filled with tow, cotton 
striped with silk, Roman M., Janes twilled, huccabac, 
broadcloth, counterpain, birdseye diaper, Kirsey wool, 
barragon, fustian, bed-ticking, herring-box, and shal- 
loon." 

Across the lawn in another of the little white houses 
stood the suddy, steaming tubs. There was no ap- 
pointed "washday" on the plantation. Every day 



68 MOUNT VERNON 

the laundry rang with the music of washbdard and 
mangle, beaten clothes and hissing steam. Its neigh- 
bor, the dairy, was scarcely less active with the gallons 
of milk to skim, the butter to churn, and the cheese to 
prepare. A nearby smokehouse, lined with sides, legs, 
and shoulders hanging on crude forked hooks of natural 
wood, was the one quiet house in the little group. 

After the fashion of most old Virginia homes, the 
kitchen was in a detached house next to the big house, 
and processions of pickaninnies carried the heaped 
dishes across the lawn in to the family dining-room. 
The modern or even the now old-fashioned cook-stove 
was unknown. The altar of this temple was a great 
fireplace with an opening which would accommodate 
half a dozen grown persons. Here andirons held w r ood 
cut to conl size, and often oak logs which strained a 
brace of black 1 tacks to lift into place. Cranes of iron, 
wrought over the hill in the blacksmith shop, swung 
steaming kettles over the glow T ing coals. Quarters of 
beef, young suckling pigs, and rows of fowl, game and 
domestic, were roasted on spits. Corn pone and 
sweet potatoes nestled in the ashes. The plantation 
cooks knew the nice properties of all the woods, and 
were [(articular to have sassafras or beech-nut, red or 
while oak. hickory, pine, or gum, according as they 
needed a slow fire or fast, or as the epicure demanded 
each wood's own smoky aroma. 

Mrs. Washington refurnished Mount Vernon through- 
out. Some things she brought up from her former 
homes in the York country and she retained a few 
things in the house which survived the days of Lawrence 

and Anne. Among the latter were the painting of the 




The Kitchen Fireplace 

In the small building connected with the Mansion by the west colonnade. The 

most interesting feature of the great kitchen fireplace is the smoke-jack— a 

slender belt chain operating from a circular fan in the chimney that turn. 

the spit. The chain runs over a flanged wheel at the end of the 

spit, and the drafl from the fire keeps the fan in motion 



MOUNT VERNON 69 

English fleet before Carthagena and the old lantern in 
the hall, sent Lawrence by Admiral Vernon, and the 
brass window cornices and curtain bands in the west 
parlor, all of which have survived the changes of years 
and are to-day preserved in their accustomed places. 

In the main Mount Vernon was refurnished by order 
on London. The Virginia colonial dame of means 
shopped almost exclusively by mail order on England, 
though in point of time she was then more distant from 
the London market than is Japan to-day. 

Robert Cary & Company were Washington's London 
correspondents at this time. Immediately the Colonel 
and his bride reached home they made an invoice of 
needed furnishings and sent a long order, which in- 
cluded : 

" 1 Tester Bedstead 1\ feet pitch with fashionable bleu or blue 
and white curtains to suit a Room laid w yl Ireld. paper. — 

"Window curtains of the same for two windows; with either 
Papier Mache Cornish to them, or Cornish covered with the Cloth. 

" 1 fine Bed Coverlid to match the Curtains. 4 Chair bottoms 
of the same; that is, as much covering suited to the above furni- 
ture as will go over the seats of 4 Chairs (which I have by me) in 
order to make the whole furniture of this Room uniformly handsome 
and genteel. 

"1. Fashionable sett of Desert Glasses and Stands for Sweet 
meats Jellys &c — together with Wash Glasses and a proper Stand 
for these also. — 

"2 Setts of Chamber, or Bed Carpets — Wilton. 

"4. Fashionable China Branches & Stands for Candles. 

" 2 Neat fire Screens — 

"50 lbs Spirma Citi Candles — 

"6 Carving Knives and Forks — handles of Stained Ivory and 
bound with Silver. 

" 1 Large neat and Easy Couch for a Passage. 



70 MOUNT VERNON 

"50 yards of best Floor Matting — 

"Order from the best House in Madeira a Pipe of the best Old 
Wine, and let it be secured from Pilferers." 

Tbis order further included hosiery of cotton and 
silk; half a dozen pairs of shoes "to be made by one 
Didsbury, on Colo. Baylor's Last — but a little larger 
than his — & to have high heels"; riding gloves; a "Suit 
of Cloaths of the finest Cloth & fashionable colour"; 
a "large assort incut of grass seeds"; "the newest and 
most approvd Treatise of Agriculture"; also "a New- 
System of Agriculture, or a Speedy Way to grow Rich," 
and "Six Bottles of Greenhows Tincture." 

This was dispatched in May, 1759. In September 
Washington forwarded an order of about two hundred 
and fifty items, nearly all from two to six pairs or dozens 
of the articles itemized. Activities were extending on 
a large scale on the estate, but the orders assumed such 
wholesale character because they were sent to the Eng- 
lish agents only twice a year. 

"From this time," he writes, "it will be requisite, 
that yon should raise three accounts; one for me, an- 
other for the estate, and a third for Miss Patty Custis; 
or, if you think it more eligible (as I believe it will be), 
make me debtor on my own account for John Parke 
Custis, and for Miss Martha Parke Custis, as each will 
have their part of I lie estate assigned to them this fall, 
and the whole will remain under my management, 
whose particular care it shall be to distinguish always, 
cither by letter or invoice, from whom tobbacos are 
shipped, and for whose use goods arc imported, in order 
to prevent any mistakes arising." 

Quaint items arrest the eye all along these lists. 



MOUNT VERNON 71 

There are "a light summer suit made of Duroy, 2 plain 
Beaver Hats, a Salmon-covered Tabby, Calamanco 
shoes, 6m Minnikin Pins, 30 yards Red Shalloon, 6 
castor Hats, 2 Postilion Caps, one dozen pairs coarse shoe 
and knee buckles, 450 ells Osnabergs." In an order 
"for Miss Custis, 4 years old," were "2 Caps, 2 pairs 
Ruffles, 2 Tuckers, Bibs, and Aprons, if fashionable, 2 fans, 
2 Masks, 2 Bonnetts," a "stiffened Coat of Fashionable 
silk, made to pack-thread stays," one fashionable 
dressed baby 10s. For "Master Custis, 6 years old," 
he ordered " 1 piece black Hair Ribbon, 1 pair handsome 
silver Shoe and Knee Buckles, 10s. worth of toys, 6 
little books for children beginning to read, and 1 light 
duffel Cloak with silver frogs." 

Other interesting articles in the early lists are some 
two hundred carpenter's tools, an extensive provision for 
the pharmacopoeia, "all liquids in double flint bottles," 
and these art objects for the adornment of his rooms 
listed under "Directions for the Busts": 

"4. One of Alexander the Great; another of Julius 
Csesar; another of Charles XII. of Sweden; and a fourth 
of the King of Prussia. 

"N. B. These are not to exceed fifteen inches in 
height, nor ten in width. 

"2 Other busts, of Prince Eugene and the Duke of 
Marlborough, somewhat smaller. 

"2 Wild Beasts, not to exceed twelve inches in 
height, nor eighteen in length. 

"Sundry small ornaments for chimney-piece." 

These objects have been described as having actually 
been a part of the furnishings of Mount Vernon. Un- 



72 MOUNT VERNON 

fortunately, Washington was disappointed in expecting 
these. Indeed, when the vessel brought the other goods 
ordered, the invoice had these entries instead of the art 
objects requested: 

"A Groupe of Aeneas carrying his Father out of Troy, 
with four statues, viz. his Father Anchises, his wife Creusa 
and his son Ascanius, neatly finisht and bronzed with copper £ 3.3 

Two Groupes, with two statues each of Bacchus & Flora 
finisht neat, & bronzed with copper £2.2 each 4.4 

Two ornamented vases with Faces and Festoons of Grapes 
and vine Leaves, finished neat & bronzed with copper . . . 2.2 
The above for ye Chimney Piece. 

Two Lyons alter the antique Lyons in Italy, finished neat 
and bronzed with copper, £1.5 each 2.10 

These is the best ornaments I could possibly make for the 
chimney piece. And of all the wild beasts as coud be made, there 
is none better than the Lyons. The manner of placing them on 
ye chimney piece should be thus: 

A groupe of Vase Aeneas Vase Groupe of 

Flora Bacchus 

There is no Busts of Alexander ye Great, (none at all of Charles 
12th of Sweden.) Julius Ciesar, King of Prussia, Prince Eugene, 
nor the Duke of Marlborough, of the size desired; and to make 
models would be very expensive — at least 4 guineas each." 

However, William Cheere, the London art dealer, 
offered to make "Busts exactly to the size wrote for (15 
inches) and very good ones, at the rate of 10/ each: of 
Homer, Virgil, Horace. Cicero, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, 
Galens, Vestall, Virgin Faustina, Chancer, Spencer, 
Johnson, Shakespear, Beaumont, Fletcher, Milton. 
Prior, Pope, Congreve, Swift, Addison, Drydon, Locke, 
Newton." 



MOUNT VERNON 73 

Although bills were itemized in pounds, shillings, 
and pence, they were paid in tobacco. This plant was 
at once a crop and currency. Washington, like other 
great planters, shipped his tobacco to London and drew 
against it in orders for merchandise. 

The orders which were sent from Mount Vernon to 
London show as clearly as any other surviving evidence 
the taste of the master which he stamped on the life 
there. He did not believe in a false economy. There 
is rarely a question of price. But throughout the orders 
appear the three requisites: good, neat, and fashionable. 
Always fashionable, but never ostentatious. In one 
letter he asks for the "finest cloth and fashionable 
colour"; again for a "genteel suit of cloaths made of 
superfine broadcloth, handsomely chosen"; but, he 
writes, "I want neither lace or embroidery. Plain 
clothes, with a gold or silver button (if worn in genteel 
dress), are all I desire." This excellence, neatness, 
and fashionableness in his personal attire was reflected 
in his house and its furnishings. 

The domestic life at Mount Vernon was simple and 
methodical. One of Washington's sense of order and 
organization could endure nothing else. Martha, either 
natively or by cultivation, supplemented him exactly. 
"Everywhere order, method, punctuality, economy 
reigned," said his adopted son. " His household . . . 
was always upon a liberal scale, and was conducted with 
a regard to economy and usefulness." 

They both were early risers, though breakfast was not 
early for all the household. Washington in winter 
often made his own fire in his library and there, over his 
correspondence and accounts, did an immense amount 



74 MOUNT VERNON 

of work in a few hours. Mrs. Washington rose when he 
did and directed the beginning of the day's domestic 
duties into easy and ordered channels. After break- 
fast he rode out on one of his horses to overlook the 
laborers on the various farms into which he divided 
Mount Vernon estate, and returned, according to 
Custis, "Punctual as the hand of a clock, at a quarter to 
three . . . and retired to his room to dress, as was 
his custom." Mrs. Washington chose the first hour for 
religious devotion in her own room, an unfailing custom 
her life long. Dinner was a mid-afternoon meal after 
the Southern tradition. Washington rarely ate any 
supper, though it was always spread for his household 
and guests. When at Mount Vernon it was his habit to 
retire at nine o'clock. 

Washington was already an important figure, one of 
the most important in the colony. But in the sixteen 
years of his married life at Mount Vernon before the 
Revolution he led a life of comparative retirement, and 
of real freedom and ease, devoting himself to the 
amenities of family life and the development of his 
estate. It was the life of his choice. lie never planned 
and he had no ambition for any career elsewhere than on 
his own acres. Mount Vernon was the shrine of his 
greatest happiness. lie was rarely far from his home 
during these sixteeD years. When later he did consenl 
t<> absent himself it was at the call of his country in the 
public service. It was only patriotic duty that made 
the long absences endurable, and he wrote and spoke of 
Mount Vernon always in terms of affection and home- 
sickness. 

If during this period the estate did not reach in every 



MOUNT VERNON 75 

aspect the maturity, expansion, and beauty of later 
years, nevertheless, under his able administration, it 
grew steadily in acreage and productiveness, until even 
at this time it became one of the largest and best- 
ordered plantations in the colonies. It was the scene of 
an easy, graceful social life, based on an opulent hospi- 
tality for which the villa eventually grew too small and 
compelled the additions which give the mansion its 
familiar outlines. These years were freer of care and 
more buoyant in happiness than any that followed, 
when leadership imposed its burden of responsibility and 
fame robbed him of his treasured retirement. 



CHAPTER VII 

Washington as a Planter — Extending the Boundaries of the 
Estate- -The Five Farms — Farm Organization — Virginia 
Methods — Agricultural Experiments Morses and Cattle 
—The Old Mill The Distillery— The Ovens— Fish and 

Fishing -Charity — Making Ends Meet. 

WASHINGTON'S ambitions when he settled in 
retirement at Mount Vernon with his "agre- 
able Consort" did not extend beyond a 
desire "to pursue the arts of agriculture, increase his 
fortune, cultivate the social virtues, fulfill his duties as a 
citizen, and sustain in its elevated dignity the character 
of a country gentleman." 

But so thorough was he in all he undertook, that of 
his pursuit of but one item of this program, the science 
of farming, he made a career less notable only than his 
public services to his country. He found "much more 
delightful to an undebauched mind the task of making 
improvements on the earth, lliau all the vain glory that 
can be acquired by ravaging it by the most unin- 
terrupted career of conquests." He expressed the be- 
lief that "the life of the husbandman of all others is the 
mosl delectable. . . . To see plants rise from the 
earth and flourish by the superior skill of the laborer fills 
a contemplative mind with ideas which are more easy to 
be conceived than expressed." 

When h<' \\;is settled his first thought was to extend 

the boundaries of his estate. Washington seemed to 

76 




v. — 



' z f. 

1 ,5 -^ 



x; 7 - 






it ft 



MOUNT VERNON 77 

have possessed a passion for land, though he treated his 
purchases lightly and declared there was "in truth more 
fancy than judgment " in them. His eagerness to add to 
his home lands may for all that have been based on his 
foresight. He had seen about him overmuch of the habit 
of farming which planted one or at most two crops in 
repetition until it exhausted the ground and compelled 
the planter to turn to a virgin field for new production. 
Spreading acres gave the Virginian colonist more than a 
sense of domain. An abundance of new land eased his 
situation when repeated tobacco or wheat and corn 
crops destroyed the fertility of the overworked 
ground. 

His first addition to Mount Vernon was the Clifton 
tract across the original Little Hunting Creek boundary, 
thus extending his river-front to the east. From 
Thomas Hanson Marshall, of Marshall Hall across the 
Potomac but in sight of Mount Vernon, and from 
his kindly but unfortunate neighbor, Captain John 
Posey, and from others he added land to the west- 
ward which in a measure completed the original 
Spencer- Washington tract bounded by Little Hunting 
Creek and Dogue Creek. Other lands were acquired 
which carried the estate northwestward over the hills at 
the head of the latter inlet. This gave him ferry landing 
a mile west of the Mansion, where he often crossed 
to the Maryland side and cut across country to Port 
Tobacco and thence ferried to the Virginia side only a 
short distance from his brother Augustine's in West- 
moreland, where he sometimes visited on his way to the 
dower lands in New Kent and to Williamsburg. The 
purchase likewise added to his possession at the same 



78 MOUNT VERNON 

point one of the notable "fishing shores" of the upper 
Potomac. In a few years the ferry proved unable to 
support the boats. On Washington's petition to the 
Assembly it was closed by law, but the fishing shore re- 
tains its ancient prestige to-day. 

Washington was from the first a scientific farmer. 
He had all the respectable authorities he could obtain 
in his library. He organized and prosecuted the work 
with that masterly executive faculty which he displayed 
later in mustering and manipulating the raw colonial 
troops. 

He divided Mount Vernon into five farms: the 
Mansion House Farm on which stood the big house 
and the village of surrounding buildings; the River 
Farm which lay across Little Hunting Creek to the 
ea>t ; Muddy Hole Farm on the low r meadows to the 
north; Union Farm next west of Mansion House Farm 
along the river and Dogue Creek; and Dogue Run Farm 
which extended up the valley of the north branch of 
the run feeding Dogue Creek. About half of all Mount 
Vernon estate was in woodland. 

Each farm was a separate establishment with its own 
overseer, hands, quarters for the slaves, farm buildings, 
and stock. Over all the farms was a general steward 
or overseer, who was responsible directly and only to 
Washington. He called this man his manager. Once 
a week, on Saturday, reports were made to the manager. 
These were set in order and passed on to the master. 
Washington transcribed the data in these reports with 
scrupulous exactness into note-books, diaries, and ac- 
count books, as those which survive attest in his own 
handwriting. They recited in detail the work under- 




a -f j 



i 



ii 



ft *■ 

f\ k 43 



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I if m 

i 






1 $&' n | 






wi 

< B oo M 



MOUNT VERNON 79 

taken and accomplished; the labor performed by each 
hand; the place, time, and conditions of sowing, har- 
vest, and sales. Though each farm was run separately 
Washington directed them all on an interdependent 
system. 

He has described the mode of farming which prevailed 
in Virginia: "There is, perhaps, scarcely any part of 
America where farming has been less attended to 
than in this , State. The cultivation of tobacco has 
been almost the sole object with men of landed prop- 
erty, and consequently a regular course of crops have 
never been in view. The general custom has been, 
first to raise a crop of Indian corn (maise) which, accord- 
ing to the mode of cultivation, is a good preparation for 
wheat; then a crop of wheat; after which the ground 
is respited (except from weeds, and every trash that 
can contribute to its foulness) for about eighteen 
months; and so on, alternately, without any dressing, 
till the land is exhausted; when it is turned out, with- 
out being sown with grass-seeds, or any method taken 
to restore it; and another piece is ruined in the same 
manner. No more cattle is raised than can be sup- 
ported by. lowland meadows, swamps, &c, and the 
tops and blades of Indian corn; as very few persons 
have attended to sewing grasses, and connecting cattle 
with their crops. The Indian corn is the chief support 
of the laborers and horses. Our lands, . . . were 
originally very good; but use, and abuse, have made 
them quite otherwise." 

For the prevailing conditions he gradually studied 
out a substitute on the basis of stimulating and resting 
instead of taxing and exhausting the land. He finally 



80 MOUNT VERNON 

drew up for his manager this rotation table, covering 
six years, as best for Mount Vernon farms: 

"1 st . . . . Indian Corn, with intermediate rows of Potatoes, 
or any root more certain or useful (if such there 
be) that will not impede the plough, hoe or har- 
row in the cultivation of the Corn. 
2 d . . . . Wheat, Rye or Winter Barley at the option of the 
Tenant — sown as usual when the Corn receives 
its last working. 
3 d . . . . Buckwheat, Peas or Pulse; or Vegetables of any 
sort, or partly of all; or anything else, except 
grain (that is corn crops) — for which this is 
preparatory. 
4 th . . . . Oats, or Summer barley, at the discretion of the 
Tenant, with Clover, if and when the ground is 
in condition to bear it. — 

5. . . . To remain in Clover for cutting, for feeding, or 

for both— or if Clover should not be sown — 
or if sown should not succeed; — then and in that 
case the field may be filled with any kind of 
Vetch, pulse or Vegetables. 

6. . . . To lie uncultivated in pasture, and for the purpose 

of manuring, for the same round of crops again." 

From the time that he set I led at Mount Vernon 
Washington conducted experiments in combinations of 
soil, fertilizers, and seeds. None is more interesting than 
one of his earliest set out in his diary, "Where, how, 
and with whom my time is Spent," for April 14, 1760; 
;m example in theory and practice: 

"Mix'd my compost in a box with ten apartments, in 
the following manner, viz: in No 1. is three peeks of 
the earth brought from below the hill out of the 46 
acre field without any mixture; — in No. L 2 — is two pecks 



MOUNT VERNON 81 

of the same earth and one of marie taken out of the 
said field, which marie seem'd a little inclinable to sand. 

"3. Has — 2 Pecks of said earth, and 1 of river side 
sand. 

"4. Has a peck of horse dung. 

"5. Has mud taken out of the creek. 

"6. Has cow dung. 

"7. Marie from the gulleys on the Hill side which 
seem'd to be purer than the other. 

"8. Sheep Dung. — 

"9. Black mould taken out of the Pocoson on the 
creek side. 

"10. Clay got just below the garden. 

"All mix'd with the same quantity and sort of earth 
in the most effectual manner by reducing the whole 
to a tolerable degree of fineness and jabling them well 
together in a Cloth. 

"In each of these divisions were planted three grains 
of wheat, 3 of oats, and as many of barley — all at equal 
distance in rows, and of equal depth (done by a ma- 
chine made for the purpose). 

"The wheat rows are next the number'd side, the 
oats in the middle, and the barley on that side next the 
upper part of the garden. — 

"Two or three hours after sowing in this manner, and 
about an hour before Sunset I water'd them all equally 
alike with water that had been standing in a tub about 
two hours exposed to the Sun." 

Later he made this proposal for the feeding of cattle : 

"I think it would be no unsatisfactory experiment 
to fat one bullock altogether with Potatoes; — another, 



82 MOUNT VERNON 

altogether with Indian meal;— and a third with a mix- 
ture of both: — keeping an exact account of the time 
they arc tatting, and what is eaten of each, and of hay, 
by the different steers; that a judgement may be 
formed of the best, and least expensive mode of stall 
feeding beef for market, or for my own use." 

Another kind of experiment which was always going 
forward was the testing of foreign seeds in Mount 
Vernon's soil. Washington's fame as a farmer after 
some years spread to England and a lively correspond- 
ence grew up with English farming enthusiasts and 
experts. Mount Vernon became a kind of experi- 
mental station for the growth of the sample grains and 
seeds which they continually sent him. 

Thorough in everything, he said: "I had rather hear 
it [grain] was delayed than that it should be sown before 
everything was in perfect order for it; for it is a, fixed 
principle with me, that whatever is done should be well 

done."' 

Indeed his thoroughness must have been the despair 
of his managers and farmers. His study in detail ex- 
tended to the count of the number of honey locust seeds 
in a quart, and he found: "a (large) quart contains 
4,000 seed; this, allowing ten Seed to a foot, would 
sow, or plant, four rows of 100 feet each." 

His experiments were not all to circumvent the 
perversity of soil and seed. He had to contend with 
much perverse human nature. In plain terms the 
overseers of the various farms stole and sold the seed 

allotted to them to plant. To prevent this his manager 
was directed to "mix in a bushel of well dried earth as 



MOUNT VERNON 83 

many pints of seed as you allow to an acre, and let it 
be sown in this manner. Two valuable purposes are 
answered thereby — 1st in this State, the seed is ren- 
dered unsaleable; 2dly a person not skilled in sow- 
ing small seeds, will do it more regularly when thus 
mixed." 

Tobacco was the purchase crop of the colony, in a 
sense the legal tender, and as such every planter was 
obliged to raise it. Washington began his farming at 
Mount Vernon with large acreages of the leaf, but he 
very spon discontinued it, and said: "I make no more 
of that article than barely serves to furnish me with 
goods." Eventually the estate raised large crops of 
wheat, corn, oats, hay, flax, buckwheat, potatoes, 
clover, hemp, saintfoin, and bailey. 

His attention to the advisability of growing other 
crops was, perhaps, not wholly on account of the vital 
tax tobacco laid upon the land. It may have been in 
discouragement as well with the parasites which de- 
stroyed his plants, for he wrote a friend that this crop 
"is assailed by every villainous worm that has had an 
existence since the days of Noah (how unkind it was of 
Noah, now that I have mentioned his name, to suffer 
such a brood of Vermin to get a birth in the Ark) but 
perhaps you may be as well of as we are — that is, have 
no Tobacco for them to eat, and there I think we nicked 
the Dogs." 

In addition to selected breeds of plough and draft 
horses, Samson, Magnolia, Leonidas, Traveller, and 
other stallions "covered" mares on the place "with 
pastureage and a guarantee of foal." The roads on 
and about Mount Vernon were familiar with the lei- 



84 MOUNT VERNON 

surely progress of yoked oxen which were driven until 
their eighth year, when they were fattened for the 
market. The meadows took a decorative effect from 
the flocks of sheep and from the grazing beef cattle 
which were branded on the right shoulder with their 
owner's initials "G. W." 

Washington kept before himself and his overseers 
always the intrinsic and permanent improvement of 
his property rather than the temporary gain from a 
transient crop: "Hedging, ditching, and putting my 
Meadows in prime order, would be infinitely more agree- 
able to me, and ultimately more profitable, than an at- 
tempt to encrease my crops of grain." 

Coupled with his broad outlook on the scientific side 
of farming was a liberal policy of expenditure. "I shall 
begrudge no reasonable expence that will contribute 
to the improvement and neatness of my Farms," he 
told an overseer about to begin his stewardship; "for 
nothing pleases me better than to see them in good 
order, and everything trim, handsome and thriving 
about them; — nor nothing hurts me more than to find 
them otherwise." 

Mount Vernon maintained a small army of men, 
women, and children, black and white. The farm work 
was done by native labor, for the most part slaves, but 
the more finished work like gardening and building was 
done almost entirely by imported and frequently in- 
dentured workmen. To support them all and to bring 
the land up taxed Washington's science and skill in 
economy to the utmost. Every resource of the place 
was utilized, for he knew how to squeeze out the by- 
products. The greal work which went forward on the 




A Lane Below the Old Brick Barn 

Leading around the lower side of the Vegetable Garden. "At the foot of '.vli.it is 
commonly called the vineyard enclosure," on the left, is the New Tomb 



MOUNT VERNON 85 

place was farming, but there were many affiliated 
establishments. 

The old mill, which Augustine Washington built, was 
improved and turned out a quality of flour so well ap- 
proved that the Mount Vernon label on the barrel was 
sufficient for the English officials to exempt it from ex- 
amination as to grade. His diary (April 8, 1760) tells 
of word coming to the big house that, as a result of a 
heavy night rain, the mill was "in great danger of blow- 
ing." He hurried off with all hands and got there "just 
in time to give her a reprieve for this time by wheeling 
dirt into the place which the water had wash'd." A 
thunder-shower held him at the mill and he experi- 
mented on "what time the mill requir'd to grind a 
bushel of corn, and to my Surprize found she was within 
5 minutes of an hour about this. Old Anthony at- 
tributed to the low head of water, but whether it was so 
or not I can't say — her works [being] all decayed and out 
of Order, which I rather take to be the cause. 

" This bushel of corn when ground measurd near a peck 
more Meal." 

He rebuilt the mill in 1770 and reconstructed the mill 
race in 1795. Time and neglect have since destroyed 
both, and the creek has so filled since that ships can no 
longer come within hundreds of yards of the old landing. 
During the last century the ruin was known as Jack's 
Mill from the name of the last miller Washington es- 
tablished there. Like Gray, who gave his name to 
Gray's Hill on the heights on the west, he was one of 
Washington's legion, a recommendation which never 
failed to reach the heart and interest of the commander. 

A distillery was set up on the place and furnished 



SG MOUNT VERNON 

liquor for the hands at harvest time or when malaria 
gripped them. When a deposit of stone was found it 
was quarried and supplemented the brick-kilns in 
furnishing foundations for the buildings. Another in- 
stitution was a huge oven, although this may have been 
at his other mill above Mount Vernon on Four Mile 
Run. When the price of wheat and Hour was down they 
were turned into biscuit. One of the old contracts 
survives, signed by Washington, and provides for his 
delivery "al his mill on Potomack one thousand Barrels 

of fine ban flour & Barrels of good well baked bis- 

cuii for a long Voyage. ... It is agreed by Geo: 
Washington to lend his Boat to assist in getting the 
Flour from the Mill door to the Ship at the Mouth of the 
Creek." 

Second only to the productiveness of the soil w T as the 
yield of the waters of the Potomac. The diaries often 
refer to the fishing shore, his seins and his schooner built 
on the place in 1765. One entry reads: "The white fish 
ran plentifully at my Sein landing having catch'd abt. 
300 in one Hawl." At another time "the Herrings run 
in great abundance." Herring was the staple fish, but 
the Potomac has always been rich in a large variety of 
sail water fish, especially sturgeon, shad, cat, perch, and 
rock. The herring brought "live shillings per thou- 
sand" and the shad "twelve shillings per hundred." 
When the herring were abundant they were salted down 
in barrels for use on the place <>r for winter market at an 
advanced price. "A sufficiency of fish for the use of my 
own people" was secured from "the first that comes." 
There were repeated orders to the managers to send 
presents of fish from Mount Vernon In friends inland and 



MOUNT VERNON 87 

at Alexandria, and of the generosity in both fish and corn 
which went forth from the place, Peake, a manager, 
gives this testimony: 

"I had orders from Gen. Washington to fill a corn 
house every year, for the sole use of the poor in my 
neighborhood, to whom it was a most seasonable and 
precious relief, saving numbers of poor women and 
children from extreme want, and blessing them with 
plenty. . . . He owned several fishing stations 
on the Potomac, at which excellent herring were caught, 
and which, when salted, proved an important article of 
food to the poor. For their accomodation he ap- 
propriated a station — one of the best he had — and 
furnished it with all the necessary apparatus for taking 
herring. Here the honest poor might fish free of ex- 
pense, at any time, by only an application to the over- 
seer; and if at any time unequal to the labor of hauling 
the seine, assistance was rendered by order of the 
General." 

Writing of his affairs four years after his marriage, 
Washington gave this somewhat pessimistic review: "I 
doubt not but you will be surprized at the badness of 
their condition unless you will consider under what 
terrible management and disadvantages I found my 
estate when I retired from the publick service of this 
Colony; and that besides some purchases of Lands 
and Negroes I was necessitated to make adjoining me 
(in order to support the expenses of a large family), I 
had Provisions of all kinds to buy for the first two or 
three years; and my Plantation to stock in short with 



88 MOUNT VERNON 

every- thing; — buildings to make and other matters 
which swallowed up before I well knew where I was, all 
the money I got by marriage, nay more, brought me in 
debt, and I believe I may appeal to your own knowledge 
of my circumstances before." 

Mount Vernon w r as eventually brought to high pro- 
ductiveness, but the scale of life there was such that 
rarely did the farms show a balance wholly on the right 
side of the ledger. Washington had to look to his 
estate for other assets than appeared in the physical 
valuation of its produce. He found its true and largest 
asset in the fulfilled ideal of private life; in solving the 
interesting problems of the planter; in mental health 
and physical strength ; and in the enjoyment of the easy 
and graceful social life of the colonial country gentle- 
man, of which Mount Vernon became a veritable example. 



CHAPTER VIII 

Social Life — Processions of Guests — Dinner Parties — English 
Naval Officers — Neighborhood Life — The Mansions on Both 
Sides of the Potomac — To Annapolis for the Races — Captain 
John Posey's Letter — Alexandria Associations — The Bread 
and Butter Ball — Fox Hunting — Nearby Race Tracks — 
Lotteries — Duelling — Mrs. Washington's Children, John and 
Martha Custis — Dancing Classes. 

BEFORE the Revolution Mount Vernon bore its 
share of the open-handed hospitality which 
distinguished Virginia colonial life. The brief 
call of visitors whose home base is near by was practi- 
cally unknown. Distances were great, travellers came 
with their own coach and horses and servants, and ah 
arrival meant additional places at the master's table 
and in the servants' hall, additional beds, and stabling 
and feed for from six to twelve horses. It was part of 
the flexible, cordial social system, and the hospitality 
and provision was on a large scale. Every one was 
welcome: brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, 
and cousins to remote degrees ; friends passing north and 
south, crossing from Maryland to lower Virginia, or 
only on their way to the plantation next beyond. Not 
least welcome were strangers, with and often without 
letters. Washington is several times at a loss, in his 
diary, to recall the names of visitors in his house. But 
without distinction the horses were sent to the stables, 
the servants to quarters, and the visitors were welcomed 
to all the big house afforded. 

so 



90 MOUNT VERNON 

Not less true of this period than a little later was 
IV Chastellux's description of the guests' reception at 
Mounl Vernon: "Your apartments were your house; 
the servants of the house were yours; and, while every 
inducement was held out to bring you into the general 
society of the drawing-room, <>r at the table, it rested 
\\ ith yourself to be served or nol with everything in your 
« >w n chamber." 

The family were so rarely alone that when they were 
il wasa matter of surprised comment and record. Day 
after day, year after year, the diary details the seemingly 
never-ending procession of guests. Here is a week in 
August, 17<i!>, which is not unlike other weeks in other 
year-: 

10 Mr. Barclay dined with us again as did Mr. Power, and 

Mr. ( reo. Thornton — 

1 1 Lord Fairfax ..V Colo. Geo. Fairfax dined with us — 
1 1 Mr. Barclay dined with us this day also 

1". We dined u ith Lord Fairfax — 

14 Colo. Loyd, Mr. Cadwallader & Lady, Mrs. Dalton & 

Daughter & Miss Terretl dind with us 
[5 Had my horses broughl in n> carry Colo. Loyd as far as 

Sedges on his return home cV rid with him a- far as Slet py 

Creek returned to Dinner & had Mr. Barclay & a Mr. 
Brown to dine u it h me 

16 Hordes returnd from carrying Colo. Loyd - Mr. Ban-lay, 

Mr. Goldsbury, Mr. Hardwick, Mr. Jno. Lewis & Mr. Wr. 
Washington Junr. dined here — 

17 Mr. Jno. Lewis, & Mr. W. Washington Junr. dined here — 

We drank Tea with My Lord — 

is Mr. Barclay, Mr. Woodrow & Mr. Wood dined here — My 

Lord ye two < '<>l»>. FVs & others drank '1'ea here 

The dining-room wns not large and one wonders how 
it held them all, for in addition to those enumerated 



MOUNT VERNON 91 

there were Colonel and Mrs. Washington, Jack and 
Patty Custis, and relatives and house guests. The week 
quoted above shows only continual entertainment. The 
numbers there given were indeed comparatively small. 
On one occasion Washington reached home from Williams- 
burg and "found Mrs. Bushrod, Mrs. W. Washington and 
their families here — also Mr. Boucher Mr. Addison Mr. 
Magowan & Doctr Rumney." At another time he 
enters: "The 4 Mr. Digges came to dinner also Colo. 
Fairfax, Colo. Burwell. Messrs. Tilghman, Brown, 
Piper, Adam, Muir, Herbert, Peake, and Dr. Rumney 
all of whom stayd all night except Mr. Peake." 

When British ships of war appeared in the Potomac 
and ascended to Mount Vernon there was a general 
exchange of courtesy between house and ship. A 
characteristic entry in the diary is that in July, 1770, 
when an English frigate anchored in the stream: "Sir 
Thomas Adams and Mr. Glassford his first Lieutt 
Breakfasted here — Sir Thos returnd after it; but 
Mr. Glassford dined here as did the 2d Lieutt. Mr. 
Sartell Mr. Johnston of Marines Mr. Norris & Mr. 
Richmore — two Midshipmen." 

Mount Vernon was the centre of a neighborhood 
life of much activity. "Neighborhood" is a relative 
term. Virginia country gentlemen of colonial days 
called any man their neighbor who lived within a day's 
ride. Separated from Washington's home only by 
Dogue's Creek was Belvoir, the seat of his lifelong 
friends the Fairfaxes. They were his nearest neigh- 
bors, but by water Belvoir was a barge ride of two miles 
and on land it was a ride of about eight miles around 
the head of the creek. Next beyond Belvoir, and 



9 2 MOUNT VERNON 

separated from it only by Gunston Cove, was Gunston 
Hall, home of George Mason, an active planter on a 
large scale and a philosophic statesman of the firsl 
order. His son Thomson Mason's house, Ilollin Hall, 
was a few miles to the north of Mount Vernon, beyond 
Mm- River Farm and on the well-travelled road to 
Alexandria. At a somewhat greater distance, but still 
in the wide colonial latitude of neighborhood, was 
Belle Aire, of which Gunston Hall was in many feat- 
ure- a replica, high on the hills of Neabsco, the home of 
the Ewells, cousins of the Washingtons, and a family 
connected by marriage with William Grayson, Vir- 
ginia's firsl Senator; Pars< »n Weems, one of Washington's 
early if qoI most reliable biographers, and Doctor James 
Craik, Mount Vernon family surgeon and later Surgeon 
( leneral of the Revolutionary Army. 

Like many other colonial country houses Mount 
Vernon, Gunston Hall, and Belle Aire are all set iden- 
tically the same in relation to the compass, with each 
corner pointing to one of the cardinal points. In this 
way each side of the house admits the sunlight at some 
time during the day. 

Across the Potomac to the eastward, where now rises 
Fort Washington, was the estate of the Digges family 

and their seal Warburton Manor. Washington and 

Digges had a code of signals between Mount Vernon 

and Warburton, and when the signal went up that there 
were guests on the way the handsome barges which 

each house maintained shot oul from the shores, driven 
by the oars of gayly liveried black men, and met in 
midst ream to1 ransfer the visitors. 

At Warburton the Washingtons met not only the 




The West Lodge Gates 

Seen from tlie Mansion across the Howling (ireen and tlie intervening meadows. 
Through these gates Washington drove whenever leaving or returning home 



y*» 











The River Shore 

From the wharf. The high point of land in the distance is Belvoir. The lower 
shore-line beyond is Gunston 



MOUNT VERNON 93 

extensive connection of the Digges family but Governor 
Eden, Major Fleming, Mr. Boucher, who tutored John 
Parke Custis, the Calverts, Daniel of Saint Thomas 
Jenifer, and other Maryland notables. At times the 
whole party would cross the river for a hunt and dinner 
at Mount Vernon, spend the night there, and next day 
press on in a body to Belvoir for further entertainment, 
and even on to Gunston Hall and Belle Aire, picking 
up recruits to the merry party enroute, and on their lei- 
surely return dropping them at their homes after partak- 
ing of renewed hospitality. 

The races at Annapolis always drew the family from 
Mount Vernon. The visit to the Maryland Capital 
gave country life a touch of urbanity. On these oc- 
casions the great coach, the horses, the coachman, 
footmen, and postilions were sent across the river the 
day before, to be in readiness without delay, for the 
arrival of the master and mistress next morning for an 
early start. The trip was broken by stops in Marlboro 
and at Mount Airy, home of the Calverts, who were 
later to be connected with the family at Mount Vernon 
by the marriage of Miss Eleanor Calvert and John 
Parke Custis. 

Washington's pastors and friends at Pohick Church 
were frequent and welcome visitors at his home, among 
them Dr. Green, the Rev. Lee Massey, Captain Daniel 
McCarty of Cedar Grove on Accotink Creek, Col. 
Alexander Henderson, Dr. Peter Wagener, Col. William 
Grayson, Mr. George Johnston, and Mr. Martin Cock- 
burn of Springfield, near Gunston Hall. 

Two other neighbors within sight of the villa were 
Thomas Hanson Marshall of Marshall Hall on the Mary- 



94 MOUNT VERNON 

land shore aboui two miles to the south, and John 
Posey of Rover's Delight, the sentimental name he 
gave liis house on the Dogue Creek tract later added 
to Mount Vernon. As revealed in their letters to 
Washington they were as definitely opposite types as 
could well be imagined. Marshall was precise, un- 
yielding, self-sufficient, and admirable. Dear old Posey 
was easy-going, dependent, timid, irresolute, and de- 
li-lit I'ul. Indeed a single passage from one of Posey's 
letters >eiit up to liis friend Colonel Washington give- 
his character in a paragraph: 

"1 could [have] been able to [have] Satisfied all my 
old Arrears, Some months AGoe, by marrying [an] old 
widow woman in this Comity, She has Large soms 
[of] cash by her, and lYittey good Es*- She is as thick, 
as she is high And gits drunk at Least three or foure 
[times] a weak which is Disagreable to me — has 
Yiliant Sperril when Drunk — its been [a] Great Dis- 
pute in my mind what to Doe, — I believe I shu'd Run 
all Resk's if my Last wife, had been [an] Even tem- 
per'd woman, but her Sperrit, has Given me such [a] 
Shock thai I am afraid to Hun the Resk Again, when 
1 -..• the object before my Ey[e]s [it] is Disagreable."* 

The Mount Vernon coach and horses were nowhere 
more familiar than on the road to Alexandria. The 
little city eight miles up river was the background of a 
large pari ^\' Washington's life and of some of (he most 
important events of his career. Here at one time he is 
said to have had his < Sice ;is surveyor; it was the base of 

Edited by Si inialaua Murray Hamilton), published 
1 1 1 .■ . - . >f America, Volume IV. page 86. 



MOUNT VERNON 95 

his departure on his trips westward on surveying bound 
and later to fight in the wars with the French, he repre- 
sented it in the House of Burgesses, he surveyed its 
streets, he was a member of the town council, here he cast 
his votes, here later in life he worshipped at Christ 
Church, and here he held his last review. Alexandria 
was warehouse and market town for the products of 
Mount Vernon farms, its physicians attended the family 
in illness, and not only did the Washingtons enter fully 
into the social life of the little city, but their friends 
there were in an intimate sense their neighbors, and 
stood out conspicuously in the picture of social life at 
Mount Vernon. 

The assemblies at Alexandria were a never-failing 
lure to Washington. One of the first to which he took 
Mrs. Washington after their marriage was thus re- 
corded in the diary : 

"Went to a ball at Alexandria, where Musick and 
dancing was the chief Entertainment however in a 
convenient room detached for the purpose abounded 
great plenty of bread and butter, some biscuits, with 
tea and coffee, which the drinkers of could not distin- 
guish from hot water sweet'ned — 

"Be it remembered that pocket handkerchiefs servd 
the purposes of Table cloths & Napkins and that no 
apologies were made for either. I shall therefore 
distinguish this ball by the stile and title of the Bread 
& Butter Ball." 

Repeated like the responses in a litany are these 

entries of Herberts, Alexanders, Carlyles, Ramsays, 



\m MOUNT VERNON 

Rumney, Laurie, and other Alexandrians at Mount 
Vernon, gathered at random from a few months of the 
diary in 1760 and L768: 

"Just as we were going to Dinnr. Capt. Walter 
Stuart appeared with Doctr. Laurie," who attended 
all Washington's people by contract for £15 a year; 
'Doctr. Craik lefl this for Alexandria"; "Doctr 
Laurie dined here"; "Returned home receiving an 
invitation to Mrs. Chew's Ball on Monday night next- 
first"; "Colo. Carlyle dind here"; "Returnd home, 
M rs. ( Jarlyle accompanying us, the day being exceeding 
tine"; "Mr. Carlyle (who came here from Port Tobo. 
Court lasl night) and Mrs. Carlyle were confin'd here 
all day"; "Mr. Carlyle and his wife returnd home"; 
"Doctr Laurie came here, I may say drunk"; "Mrs. 
Washington was blooded by Doctr Laurie"; "Sent 
Tom and Mike to Alexandria in my boat for 20 or 25 
bushels of oats. Went up myself there to Court"; 
"At home with Doctr. Rumney"; "Confined by rain 
with Mr. Fairfax and Mr. Alexander" — the city was 
named after the Alexanders who were great landholders 
on its site and in its vicinity; "In the afternoon went 
up to Mr. Robt. Alexander's in order to meet Mr. B. 
Fairfax \; others a foxHuntg"; "Returnd home, much 
disordered by a Lax, Griping & violent straining"; 
"Sent for Doctr. Rumney, who came in ye afternoon"; 
"Doctr still here & Mr. Ramsay came down to see 
me"; "Went with Colo. Carlyle and our Families to 
Belvoir"; "Went to Court," at Alexandria; "Colo. 

Carlyle & Family also went up. Mr. Stcdlar stay'd <Sc 

Sally Carlyle"; "We (together wl. Miss Betey Ram- 
wenl to AJexa. to a Ball"; "Went to church at 




The Wist Parlor 




The Family Dining Room 



MOUNT VERNON 97 

Alexandria and Dined at Colo Carlyle's"; "Went up 
to Alexandria to meet the Attorney-General & returned 
with him, his Lady and Daughter, Miss Corbin & Majr. 
Jenifer"; "At home with the above Company. Colo. 
Fairfax, his Lady & Miss Nicholas, Colo. West & his 
wife, & Colo. Carlyle, Captn. Dal ton & Mr. Piper — - 
the three last of whom stayd at night " ; " Went to Alex- 
andria & bought a Brick layer from Mr. Piper & re- 
turnd to Dinner. In the afternoon Mr. R. Alexander 
come"; "Miss Manly dind here, and Mr. Alexander 
came in the evening"; "Mr. Alexander & Miss Manly 
went away"; " Went to a Ball in Alexandria" ; "Went 
to a Purse Race at Accotinck & returnd with Messrs. 
Robt. and George Alexander"; "Miss Sally Carlyle 
came here" ; " Went to Alexandria to see a ship launched, 
but was dissapointed and came home"; "Went up 
again, saw the ship Launched, stayd all night to a 
Ball"; and so on. 

One of the great attractions at Mount Vernon for 
Washington's friends was the hunting. Though the 
Potomac has always been famous for duck and fish, 
Washington only occasionally went gunning, and less 
often did he try his skill with hook and line. The latter 
sport was little in evidence on this river where fishing 
has always been done on a wholesale scale by seines and 
nets and traps. 

His prime outdoor diversion was fox hunting. The 
pursuit of Brer Fox seems sometimes to have been less 
an object in itself than an excuse to be in the saddle 
and to ride afield, for he loved to feel a horse under him, 
and he rode with famous skill. He loved the yelp of 
the pack and the excitement of a galloping group of 



98 MOUNT VERNON 

horsemen, and the hard ride for hours a1 a time "across 
a country thai was only for those who dared." They 
justified the day whatever its end. It is inevitable 
thai he was "fashionably" dressed for the hunt. His 
stepson says he "was always superbly mounted, in 
true sporting costume, of blue coat, scarlel waistcoat, 
buckskin breeches, top boots, velvet cap, and whip 
w ith long thong." 

Some notion of the out-of-door life al Mount Vernon, 
as well as the relative number of days devoted to duck- 
ing and fox hunting may be gathered from these quo- 
tations from the diary for the months of January and 
February, L769: 

"Jan. I, Fox hunting; 1<>, Foxhunting; 11, Foxhunt- 
ing; 12, Foxhunting; 16, Went a ducking; 17, Foxhunt- 
ing; is. Fox hunting; 19, Fox hunting; 20, Fox hunting; 
21, Fox hunting; 25, Hunting below Accotinck; 28, Fox 
hunting; Feb. 3, Went a Gunning up the Creek; 9, Wen1 
a Ducking; 10, Went a shooting again; 11, Ducking till 
Dinner; 1 fc, Fox hunting; 17, Kid out with my hounds; 
IS, Went a hunting with Doctr. Rumney Started a fox 
<>r rather 2 or ."» & cat died none — Dogs mostly got after 
deer & never joind; 27, Fox hunting." 

When in pursuil of the fox they not infrequently 
started <\<-<-v or hear. 

These parties seem generally t<» have drawn from 
these friend^ and relatives: the Fairfaxes, Colonel 

Bassett, Jack Cuslis, T. and Win. Triplet, II. Mauley, 

Philip and Robert Alexander, William Ramsay, Colonel 
Fielding Lewis. Dr. Rumney, Captain McCarty, Lloyd 




The Music Room 

In the foreground is the harpsichord which General Washington imported from 

London for Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, Nellie Custis 




The Sitting Rohm 

Veross the hall from the Music Room. Beyond the open door is the stairway 
between General Washington's Librarj and his Bedroom 



MOUNT VERNON 99 

Dulaney and his brother, and Messrs. Chichester, Wag- 
ener, Tilghman, Posey, Peake, and others. 

There was a famous pack of hounds at Mount Vernon, 
in the kennels down on the western slope leading to the 
wharf. Their names ring across the years fresh and in- 
spiring: Pilot, Musick, Countess, Truelove, Lawlor, 
Forrister, Singer, Ringwood, Mopsey, Cloe, Dutchess, 
Chaunter, Drunkard and, doubtless his son, Tipsy. 
From a stable full of thoroughbred mounts the names of 
Blueskin, Valiant, Ajax, and Chinkling are preserved. 

The races in Fairfax or neighboring counties in 
Virginia and Maryland were potent in drawing forth the 
squire of Mount Vernon. He contributed liberally, 
entered horses from his stables, and occasionally laid a 
wager on the result. Washington was a steward of the 
Alexandria Jockey Club. Nearer Mount Vernon was 
Bogg's Race Track in the meadow below and to the 
west of Pohick Church, but the reader is left to wonder 
where might have been the track referred to in the 
brief entry: "Went up to a Race by Mr. Beckwith's & 
lodgd at Mr. Edwd. Paynes." 

Rainy days or the early winter evenings were devoted 
to cards. Washington's account books indicate that 
playing cards were quickly used up. The profit and 
loss columns record his winnings and losses, which at 
times mounted to nine pounds at a sitting. It was a 
liberal age. Not only was gambling on a moderate scale 
considered a fashionable diversion, but the family at 
Mount Vernon patronized the lotteries on various oc- 
casions. These institutions were under distinguished 
social and even, in one instance, ecclesiastical patronage. 
Among the many lotteries in which Washington bought 



loo MOUNT VERNON 

tickets were the Alexandria Street Lottery, "Colo. 
Byrds Lottery," Peregrine and Fitzhugh's Lottery, the 
Mountain Road Lottery, and Earl Sterling's Land and 
Cash Lottery. From letters and accounts it would seem 
thai the last was much trafficked in. One item is for 
" l"s:> ... for twelve tickets. Washington 

took quantities of Lord Sterling's Delaware lottery 
tickets and then resold them. His agent in this trans- 
action was the Reverend Walter Magowan, of Saint 
James Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, who 
w&s a frequent visitor at Mount Vernon and was one of 
John Parke < Justis' tutors. 

One of the fashionable customs which was not toler- 
ated at Mount Vernon, however, was duelling. Thack- 
eray was under another impression, for he hinged the 
plot of "The Virginians" on the challenge sent to Wash- 
ington by young Warrington, and it is implied that 
Washington will fight. Thackeray had evidently not 
read this letter of George Mason's: "You express a fear 
that General Lee will challenge our friend. Indulge in 
qo such apprehensions, for he too well knows the senti- 
ments of General Washington on the subject of duelling. 
From his earliest manhood I have heard him express his 

contempt of the man who sends and the man who ac- 
cepts a challenge, for he regards such acts as no proof of 

moral courage; and the practice he abhors as a relic of 
old barbarisms, repugnant alike to sound morality and 
christian enlightenment." 

Such are some of the aspects of life at Mount Vernon 
and of the character of its occupant before the Revolu- 
tion. Hut such a survey would be incomplete if it 
carried the impression that so much social activity 



MOUNT VERNON 101 

diminished interest in the family spirit, which in this in- 
stance rose out of the presence of Mrs. Washington's 
two children, Martha Custis and her brother, John 
Parke Custis. 

Washington met the demands of his wife's children 
with the same tenderness and generosity as if he had 
been their own father. Martha, or Patty as she was 
more often called, was an invalid all her short life. It 
was in large part for her that Dr. Green and Dr. Laurie 
and Dr. Rumney made their repeated visits to Mount 
Vernon. Once, in their hope to relieve the child, "Joshua 
Evans, who came here last night, put an Iron ring upon 
Patey (for fits)." 

Mrs. Washington took her children on the trips away 
from Mount Vernon, though once she made the experi- 
ment of leaving Jacky at home, as she wrote her sister, 
Mrs. Bassett, and with such anxiety to herself that the 
boy probably accompanied his mother on future trips: 
*'I carried my little patt with me and left Jacky at home 
for a trial to see how well I could stay without him 
though we ware gon but wone fortnight I was quite im- 
patient to get home. If I at aney time heard the doggs 
barke or a noise out, I thought thair was a person sent 
for me." 

There was a tutor at Mount Vernon to instruct Patty 
and Jack in their letters and figures, but the popular 
occasions of instructions were the days when Mr. Chris- 
tian, the dancing master, arrived on his way over his 
itinerary, which extended the length of the Potomac's 
tidewater valley. The classes were held at Mount 
Vernon and Gunston Hall in turn, when all the children 
of the neighborhood assembled to be taught the rollick- 



L02 MOUNT VERNON 

ing country dances or tin- Formal minuet. When the 
afternoon had been danced away and candles were 
brought, Mr. Christian retired, and the young people 
romped at "Button to gel Pauns for Redemption" or 
"Break the Pope's Neck." The fun was carried on 
with " sprightliness and Decency," bu1 the "Pauns" 
were potent to wring "kisses from the Ladies." 

Washington was fond of dancing and he took an in- 
terest in the dancing classes and the after sport of the 
children. Though his manner was gentle and kindly, 
his presence was so imposing that young people a.s well 
as their elders were inclined to become reserved when 
with him. The reminiscence of an old Virginia lady of 
ninety-one, who in her twelfth year romped under the 
eyes of Colonel and Mrs. Washington, is a likely one: 
'"Often, when at their games in the drawing-room at 
oighl perhaps romping, dancing and uoisey —they [the 
children] would see the General watching their move- 
ments at some side door, enjoying their sport, and if at 
any time his presence seemed to check them, he would 
1 hem nut to mind him, hut go <»n jusl as before, en- 
couraging them in every possible way to continue their 
amusemenl to their hearts' content." 

The little family kept together until l?(iS, when the 
Reverend Walter Magowan, of lottery fame, who had 
been tutoring the Custis children, left for England. r l ne 
education of girls was not a serious matter in those days, 
and Miss Patty was considered sufficiently accomplished 
in Mr. Magowan's rudiments and the graces Mi - . ( Ihris- 
li.in had given her. With a man it was different. lie 
had In he educated. So in the Same year Jack went over 

t" Annapolis under the care of Reverend Jonathan 



MOUNT VERNON 103 

Boucher, who had several other young gentlemen under 
his charge. During the next five years Jack was away 
from home much of the time, either at Annapolis or at 
King's College in New York. 

Running parallel with Washington's private life at 
Mount Vernon, throughout the pre-Revolutionary 
period, was an active public life, for he met and recog- 
nized the responsibilities of citizenship always in full. 
The period of this public service was so much over- 
shadowed by his earlier and later military career and by 
his supreme service under the new Republic, that it is 
easy to think of Mount Vernon at this time merely as a 
home of an industrious, pleasure-loving planter. Bound 
up in his home though he was, there emanated from 
Mount Vernon wider and more unselfish interests than 
those which were merely social and domestic. 



CHAPTER IX 

Washington in Colonial Public Life — Vestryman of Truro Parish 
— Drawing the Parish Lines to Capture Mount Vernon — 
Attendance at Pohick Church — As a Churchman — As Burgess 
in the Assembly at Williamsburg — Trips Between Mount 
Vernon and the Capital — Late Summers at Bath Springs — A 
Trip to New York — Charles Willson Peale — The First Por- 
trait. 

BEFORE the Revolution Mount Vernon was 
represented in the civic life of the neighborhood 
and colony by Washington's long tenure as a 
vestryman of Truro Parish and as a member of the 
House of Burgesses at Williamsburg. 

The Revolution divorced the Church and State, but 
until that time the Episcopal Church was a civic estab- 
lishment in the colony as well as in England. The 
parish was created by the Assembly, and by its direc- 
tion the parish was surveyed and the first vestry was 
elected by the "freeholders and housekeepers" of the 
county. Thereafter the vestry constituted a tight 
little self-perpetuating corporation, by itself filling all 
vacancies in its own body. Hut the vestry was unfail- 
ingly representative of the "ablest and most discreet" 
citizens of the ueighborhood. Under authority and 
direction of the vestry deeds were recorded, the tithe 

lists made up, the tithes collected, the poor cared for, 
ami the landmarks renewed by the process called "pro- 

cessioning." To tin- churchwardens fell "the duty of 
binding orphans and other indigent children as Ap- 

1M 



MOUNT VERNON 105 

prentices," and the obligation of looking after the 
apprentices' morals, their education and their initiation 
into the "Art and mystery" of shoemaker, carpenter, 
cooper, etc. 

The vestry of Truro Parish was probably the most 
distinguished in the colony. Of its members eleven 
sat in the House of Burgesses; two of them, the Fair- 
faxes, were of His Majesty's Council for Virginia; an- 
other member, George Mason, author of the Virginia 
Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the State of 
Virginia, was one of the most enlightened men in the 
colonies; and, finally and first, George Washington. 

Pohick, the parish church of Truro Parish, was first 
situated on Michael Reagan's Hill on the road from 
Alexandria and the north to Colchester and the south, 
due west of Mount Vernon by a drive of about nine 
miles. When in 1767 the present surviving edifice was 
projected, it was built at a point selected by Washington 
two miles nearer his home. 

Washington was first elected vestryman October 25, 
1762. The family name was not new to the Truro 
Parish register, for his father, Augustine Washington, 
entered the same vestry in November, 1735. The 
date is valuable in connection with establishing the 
period when the family, including George at the age of 
three years, came first to Mount Vernon. 

Some confusion has marked the various statements as 
to where Washington and his family worshipped and 
when and to what vestries he belonged. The confusion 
results from an interesting parish contest for the posses- 
sion of Mount Vernon. 

Truro Parish was divided by act of Assembly, in 



km; MOUNT VERNON 

February, 1765, creating the new parish of Fairfax. 
1 Rogue's Run was a pari of the dividing line, and Mount 
Vernon found itself in the new parish, cut off from old 
Pohick. This act raised immediate and general protesl 
from the parent parish. Mount Vernon was the hone 
of contention. Washington himself seems to have been 
averse to being legislated oul of Pohick and out of his 
association with Colonel Fairfax, Colonel Mason, and 
his other neighbors of the vestry, for he was one of a 
committee of Burgesses who introduced the act, passed 
the following May, which moved the northern boundary 
of the parish from Dogue's Creek on the west side of 
Mount Vernon to a line running with Little Hunting 
Creek to the northeast of the mansion. Mount Vernon 
was thus restored to Pohick, where it has remained ever 
aince. 

Meanwhile, on its creation in May, 1765, I lie new 
parish of Fairfax had .-it once elected Washington a 
vestryman. On the realignment of the parishes four 
months later he resigned from Fairfax and was again 
elected to the vestry of Truro. Washington was con- 
tinuously reelected to the same vestry and attended 
Pohick Church with a high average of regularity until 
the Revolution took him away from home. 

The Mount Vernon coach was in evidence at Pohick 
from 1 7. v.) to 1771, of ten accompanied by a chaise and by 
gentlemen on horseback, for Washington seems to have 
been persuasive in inducing his usually numerous house 
guests to accompany him and Mrs. Washington to 
church. At least one effort has been made to establish 
Washington's lukewarmness as a churchman. The 
author thereof cite- an average of fifteen entries of 



MOUNT VERNON 107 

church attendance each year between 1760 and 1773. 
He assumes that Washington never went to church 
that he did not record it in his diary. Even so he 
might have thought better of Washington's fifteen 
annual trips to Pohick if he had experienced year after 
year the condition of colonial Virginia roads and realized 
the futility of trying to force a great chariot through a 
round trip of from fourteen to eighteen miles of Fairfax 
clay during wet and winter weather. In further justice 
to Washington's practical interest in the church it is 
fair to call attention to the fact that Pohick Church 
was not open every Sunday of the year. The rector 
"supplied" one and sometimes two other churches. 
Moreover, Washington made additional trips to Pohick 
Church to attend meetings of the vestry. "During 
the eleven years of his active service from February, 
1763, to February, 1774," says the parish historian, 
"thirty one 'vestries' were held, at twenty three of 
which he is recorded as being present. On the eight 
occasions when he was absent, as we learn from his diary 
or other sources, once he was sick in bed, twice the 
House of Burgesses, of which he was a member, was 
in session, and three other times certainly, and on the 
two remaining occasions probably, he was out of the 
County." 

Washington bought pew twenty-eight, in the centre of 
the church, before the Communion table, on the north 
aisle. Lund Washington bought number twenty-nine, 
next behind, but George Washington later bought it 
from him. The Sunday attendance from Mount 
Vernon required these two great square box-like pews, 
which Washington kept all his life, even when the 



108 MOUNT VERNON 

parish foil upon ueglected clays and Pohick was without 
a regular rector, and he and his family worshipped at 
( Jhrisl Church, Alexandria. 

Churchgoing really played a Large part in the social 
side of Virginia colonial life. Philip Vickers Fithian, 
in his Journal, gives a graphic idea of this phase: 

"There are three grand divisions of time at the church 
on Sundays; Viz: before Service giving and receiving 
Utters of business, reading Advertisements, consulting 
about the price of Tobacco, Grain, &c, and settling 
either the lineage, Age or qualities of favorite Horses. 
2. In the church at Service, prayers read over in haste, 
a Sermon, seldom under and never over twenty minutes, 
but always made up of sound morality, or deep-studied 
Metaphysicks. 3. After Service is over, three quarters 
of an hour spent in strolling round the church among 
the crowd in which time invitations are given by gentle- 
men to go home with them to dinner." 

Which gives significance to a certain item in the speci- 
ticit inns for the building of Pohick Church: "And the 
said Daniel French doth further agree to build two 
Horse-Blocks with each two flights of Steps; to fix six 
benches for the people to sit on under the trees; and to 
clear and remove all the rubbish and litter from off the 
Church Lott, so as to fix it for the Reception of the 
Congregation; and to have those additional works done 
by the time appointed for the finishing of the ( Jhurch." 

V.S already seen, Mount Vernon had to wait for its 
new niUi ress on its master's first appearance in the 
House of Burgesses. After that session in 17.')!) he was 
returned as Burgess every year until the Revolution 



MOUNT VERNON 109 

made his attendance impossible; at first, as stated, by 
Frederick County, but from 1765 by Fairfax. 

Washington did not exert his influence on the floor 
of the House as an orator. His first effort there at a 
speech was a fiasco, but justified its failure by produc- 
ing the celebrated tribute from Mr. Speaker Robinson. 
When Washington rose to reply to the Speaker's pro- 
fession of the colony's thanks for his distinguished mili- 
tary services in the West, he blushed, stammered, and 
was mute. Mr. Robinson came to his rescue with: "Sit 
down, Mr. Washington,your modesty equals your valour, 
and that surpasses the power of any language I possess." 

His genius showed itself rather in leadership in com- 
mittee, in sound advice, and especially in the drafting 
of legislative papers. When John Parke Custis, at this 
time a boy at Mount Vernon, was later elected to the 
Assembly, Washington wrote to him his own conception 
of the duty of the Burgess: 

" I do not suppose that so young a senator as you are, 
little versed in political disquisitions, can yet have much 
influence in a popular assembly, composed of Gentln. 
of various talents and of different views. But it is in 
your power to be punctual in your attendance (and 
duty to the trust reposed in you exacts it of you), to 
hear dispassionately and determine coolly all great 
questions. To be disgusted at the decision of questions, 
because they are not consonant to your own ideas, and 
to withdraw ourselves from public assemblies, or to 
neglect our attendance at them, on suspicion that there 
is a party formed, who are inimical to our cause, and to 
the true interest of our country, is wrong, because these 



no MOUNT VERNON 

things may originate in a difference of opinion; but, 
supposing the facl is otherwise, and that our suspicions 
are well founded, it is the indespensable duty of every 
patriot to counteract them by the most steady and 
uniform opposition." 

The sessions of the Burgesses were held in the spring 
after the roads had settled and in the fall before winter 
opened them again. The trips back and forth between 
Mount Vernon and Williamsburg were made by coach 
as a rule, especially when Mrs. Washington accom- 
panied her husband; otherwise in his chaise or "chair," 
or on horseback, attended by his servants. 

The distance was generally covered in four days. 
The diary sets forth the dates and the stoppages which 
indicate the routes followed; first in October, 1768: 

1!). Set (.f on my Journey to Williamsburg & reachd Colo. 
Henry I. crs to Dinner. 

20. Detaind there all day by Rain. 

21. Reachd Fredericksburg, found Warren Washington & Ca. 

there. 

22. Dined at Parkers Ordy. & lodgd at Mr. Benja. Hubbards, 

Colo. Lewis also. 
Dined at the Causey & got to Colo. Bassetts. 
24. Dined at Josh. Valentine's sent Chairs & Horses over James 
River, & lodged in Wins. burg ourselves. 

and returning the early part of next month: 

6. Left Williamsburg & dined & lodgd at Colo. Bassetts. 

7. Set out for home with Betsy Dandridge. Dined at King 

Wm. Court Ho. & lodgd at Mr. Win. Avletts. 

8. Dined at Parkers and lodgd at Fredericksburg. 

!». Reached home in about 7 hours & an half, found Doctr. 

Rnmv. and Miss Ramv. here. 



MOUNT VERNON 111 

The round trip another year, in 1774, was made in 
this fashion, starting in May: 

12. Set off with Mrs. Washington for Williamsburg. Dined 

at Dumfries and lodged at Col. Lewis's in Fredericksburg. 

13. At Fredericksburg all day. Dined at Col. Lewis's and 

spent the evening at Weedon's. 

14. Dined at Roys Ordinary and lodged at Tods Bridge. 

15. Breakfasted at Ruflfins Ferry and dined and lodged at Col. 

Bassett's. 

16. Came to Williamsburg, dined at the Governor's, and spent 

the evening at Mrs. Campbell's. 

And returning in June: 

18. Dined at Mrs. Dawson's and came up to Col. Bassetts in 

the afternoon. 

19. At Colo. Bassett's all day. 

20. Set off from thence on my return home. Dined at Todd's 

Bridge and lodged at Hubbard's. 

21. Breakfasted at the Boiling Green, dined and lodged at Col. 

Lewis's in Fredericksburg. 

22. Reached home to a late dinner, after breakfasting at Acquia. 

Many more days were sometimes consumed, however, 
as in the spring of 1768, when Washington loitered on 
the journey homeward over twenty-five days. The 
diary furnishes a graphic sketch of Washington at play : 

May 

6. Rid to the Plantations near Williamsburg & dined at Mr. 

Valentine's. 

7. Came up to Colo. Bassett's to Dinner. 

8. Went to Church & returnd to Dinner. 

9. Went a Fox hunting and catched a Fox after 35 minutes 

chase; returnd to Dinner & found the Attorney, his 
Lady & daughter there. 



112 MOUNT VERNON 

10. Rid to the Buck House & returnd to Dinner; after which 

went a dragging for sturgeon. 

11. Dined at the Globe with Mr. Davis. 

12. Wenl to New (Cent Court with Colo. Bassett. 

13. Went after sturgeon & a gunning. 

14. Went to my Plantation in King William by water and dragd 

for St urgeon & catchd one. 
1"). Rid to see Colo. Bassetts meadows at Roots's. 
Ki. Fishing for Sturgeon from Breakfast to Dinner but catchd 

none. 

17. Rid to Buck House & returnd to Dinner. 

18. Did the same & got my Chariot & Horses over to Claibornes. 

19. "Went a shooting & hair huntg. with the Hounds who started 

a Fox which we catchd. 

20. Set of from Colo. Bassetts for Nomony, crossed over to 

Claibornes; from thence by Frazer's Ferry to Hobs hole 
dining at Webbs Ordinarj'. 

21. Reaehd my Brothr. John's who & his wife were up the 

Country. Crossed over to Mr. Booths. 

22. Went to Church (Nomony) & returnd to Mr Booths to 

Dinner, who was also from home in Gloucester. Mr. 
Smith, the Parson, dind with us. 

23. At Mr Booth's all day with Revd. Mr. Smith. My Car- 

penter & House People went to work at my Mill repairing 
the Dams, (lightening of them & opening the Race. 

24. Came up to Pope's ( 'reek & staid there all day. 

25. Got up to my Brother Sams to Dinner, found Mrs. Wash- 

ington &C. there. 
20. Remaind at my Brother Sams where my Brother Jno. came, 
as also Mr. Lawr. Washington &c to Dinner. 

27. Dined at Mr. L. Washingtons with the Compy. at my 

Bro. 

28. Went to Boyd's hole & returnd to my Brothers to Dinr. 

w here we found ( Jolo. Lew is & my Br. ( lharles. 

29. Wenl to St. Pauls church & Dined at my Brothers. 

The bitch Chanter brought five Dog puppies & 3 Bitch 
ditto which were named as follows: viz — Forrester, 




North and South Lanes 

Taken in the North lane near the Spinning House and 
showing the Sun-dial in the Circle 



MOUNT VERNON 113 

Sancho, Ringwood, Drunkard, and Sautwell — and Chan- 
ter, Singer & Busy. 

30. Went fishing & dined under Mr. L. Washington's store. 

31. Returnd home crossing at Hooes Ferry — through Port 

Tobacco. 

The trips to Williamsburg represent Washington's 
principal absences from Mount Vernon during the fif- 
teen years next after his marriage. Occasionally he took 
the family to the Bath Warm Springs, but on only two 
other occasions did he go farther from his beloved home. 
In 1770 he went to the Ohio and in 1773 to New York. 

The Warm Spring trips were made partly in hopes of 
benefiting Patsy Custis, and partly to counteract the 
malaria imbibed at Mount Vernon, against which the 
"Bark" seems not to have been wholly effective. 
August was the month selected for the sojourn at the 
Springs. Of his earliest experience there he said: 
"Lodgings can be had on no terms but building for 
them. . . . Had we not succeeded in getting a 
tent and a marquee from Winchester we should have 
been in a most miserable station here." Lloyd 
Dulaney's inquiry about the rent of his house there in 
1771 would suggest that he built at once, though his 
diary clearly establishes the building of a new house, 
kitchen, and stable there in 1784. The journey to the 
Ohio in the autumn of 1770 was made to see the bounty 
lands which he and his companions in arms, during the 
campaigns against the French and their Indian allies, 
had received from the Government for their military 
services. He was accompanied by his friend, neighbor, 
and fellow campaigner, "Dr. Craik, his servant, two of 
mine, with a led horse and baggage." They departed 



1 1 t MOUNT VERNON 

October 5th and on December 1st he "Reaehd home, 
being absent from it nine weeks and one day," longer 
than he was away from Mount Vernon at any other 
time between 1759 and 1775. 

The occasion of his trip to New York City in May and 
June, 1773, was to place Jack Custis in King's College. 
He was absent twenty-nine days, only four of which 
were spent in New York. The journey northward con- 
sumed sixteen days, the return nine days. In going and 
in returning he crossed the Potomac at the ferry above 
Mount Vernon, landing on Piscataway, and making 
his firsl stop with Mr. Calvert of Mount Airy. The 
points touched during the sixteen days' outward journey 
were Annapolis, Rockhall, Chestertown, "Georgetown 
on Sassafras," Newcastle, Wilmington, Chester, Phila- 
delphia, Burlington, Trenton, Princeton, Bound Brook, 
'Lord Sterling's at Baskin's Ridge," and "Elisabeth 
town." Southward he stopped at New Ark, Amboy, 
Brunswick, Princeton, Bristol, Philadelphia, "the Sorrel 
House, 13 miles from it," "the Ship Tavern, 34 off," 
the Sign of the Bull, " 13 miles from ye Ship," Lancaster, 
York Town, " the Sign of the Buck, 14 miles from York," 
Sul tons, Slades, "Baltimore Town," the Widow Ram- 
say's, and Mount Airy, and he "reached home to dinner 
about 2 o'clock." 

The earliesl portrait of Washington was painted at 
this time at Mount Vernon. He wrote Dr. Boucher, in 
May, 1772: " Inclination having yielded to Importunity, 
1 am now contrary to all expectation under the hands of 
Mr. Peale; but in so grave so sullen a mood and now 
and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some 
critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this 



MOUNT VERNON 115 

Gentleman's Pencil, will be put to it, in describing to the 
World what manner of man I am." 

The artist was Charles Willson Peale and the portrait 
was the three-quarter length picture in the uniform of a 
Virginia colonel. On "May 19. Found Mr. Peale and 
J. P. Custis. — 20. I sat to have my picture drawn. — 
21. I set again to take the drapery. — 22. Set for 
Mr. Peale to finish my face." The artist found subjects 
also in Mrs. Washington, Martha and Jack Custis. 
These three productions, however, were in miniature. 
The cost of the four paintings was £57.4.0. 

So passed the life at Mount Vernon, domestic and 
social, private and public, during the years which were 
for Washington among the happiest, if not quite the 
happiest, he ever enjoyed. The colony was at peace 
and was blessed with the serenity of a period practically 
without history. What Washington wrote to a relative 
in England was typical of this whole period: "I do not 
know that I can muster up one tittle of news to com- 
municate. In short, the occurances of this part of the 
world are at present scarce worth reciting; for, we live in 
a state of peaceful tranquility ourselves, so we are at 
very little trouble to inquire the operations against the 
Cherokees, who are the only people that disturb the re- 
pose of this great continent, and who, I believe, would 
gladly accomodate differences upon almost any terms." 

Not yet apparent was the significance of the increas- 
ing visits of the fathers of the colony to Mount Vernon 
and their earnest discussion with its first citizen; nor 
was it obvious as yet what would issue from the mass of 
correspondence rolling out of Mount Vernon library to 
every corner of the clustering colonies. 



CHAPTER X 

Last Years Before the Revolution — Changes in the Family and 
in the Neighborhood— Death of Martha Custis — The Fair- 
faxes Leave for England— Sale at Belvoir — Jack Custis 
Marries Eleanor Calvert —Courtly Letters — Mount Vernon 
Adapts Etself to the Stamp Act— The Fairfax Resolves — 
Notable Conferences at Mount Vernon — Preparing to En- 
large the House -Eccentric Charles Lee — Preparations for 
the Impending Struggle — The Eyes of the Colonies on Mount 
Vernon -The Richmond Convention — To the Congress in 
Philadelphia — Commander-in-Chief of the Army. 

THE last two years before the Revolution 
brought many changes to Mount Vernon. 
They affected the bouse itself, the family 
circle, and the neighborhood, and the issues of which, in 
discussion and in correspondence, it was the storm centre 
were the most significant in character and effect in the 
history of our country. 

The firsl grief that shadowed the house in more than 
twenty years came with the death of Martha Parke 
Custis, Mrs. Washington's daughter, the "Patsy" and 
"little pall " of their letters. She bad been an invalid 
all her brief life, which endeared her the more to her 
devoted stepfather. On the night of June 10, 177.'). he 
wrote briefly in bis diary: "About five o'clock poor 
Patey Custis died suddenly," and in a letter to his wife's 
brother-in-law, Colonel Bassett: "It is an easier matter 
t<» conceive than l<> describe the distress of this Family; 
« specially tli;it of the unhappy Parent of our Dear Patsy 

ik; 



MOUNT VERNON 117 

Custis, when I inform you that the Sweet Innocent Girl 
Entered into a more happy & peaceful abode than any 
she has met with in the afflicted Path she hitherto has 
trod." He begs that Mrs. Washington's mother come 
to make her home at Mount Vernon and concludes: "I 
do not purpose to add more at present, the end of my 
writing being to inform you of this unhappy change." 
He was about to start on a journey into the West with 
the Governor, Lord Dunmore, but he gave this up and 
remained with the bereaved mother, his own "dear 
Patsy," as he was wont to call her. Martha Custis left 
her entire and very considerable fortune to her step- 
father. 

This year, too, Mount Vernon lost its long-time 
neighbors and friends, the Fairfax family, and there- 
after the diary is silent of fox-hunting and dining and 
visiting across the creek at the merry old mansion. 
George William Fairfax fell heir to the ancestral estates 
in England, placed Bel voir in the care of Colonel Wash- 
ington, who knew it and loved it better than any other 
man after its proprietor, and departed America never to 
return. Washington and his wife were with Colonel 
Fairfax and his family during their last hours at Bel voir, 
saw them embark, and from the noble height waved sad 
adieux as the ship sailed away to southward around the 
sharp turn in the Potomac. 

Though Colonel Fairfax never returned to America, 
he and Washington kept up an intimate correspondence 
for the rest of his life. In 1774 most of the chattels at 
Belvoir were disposed of at public sale, and Washington 
bought at the prices below and brought to Mount 
Vernon the following items: 



118 MOUNT VERNON 

1 mahogany shaving desk 4 £, 1 settee bed and furniture 13 £, 
4 mahogany chairs 4 £, 1 chamber carpet 1 £ Is, 1 oval glass with 
gilt frame in the "green room" 4 £ 5s, 1 mahogany chest and 
drawers in Mrs. Fairfax's chamber 12 £ 10s, 1 mahogany sideboard 
12 £ 5s, 1 mahogany cistern and stand 4 £, 1 mahogany voider, a 
dish tray and knife tray 1 £ 10s; 1 Japan bread tray 7s, 12 chairs 
and :> window curtains from dining room 81 £, 1 looking glass and 
gilt frame l.'J £ 5s, 2 candle sticks and a bust of Shakespeare 1 £ 
6s, ■"• floor carpets in gentlemen's room 3 £ 5s, 1 large carpet 11 £, 
1 mahogany wash desk, &c., 1 £ 2s 6d; 1 mahogany close stool 

1 £ 10s, 2 matresses 1 £ 10s, 1 pair andirons, tongs, fender and 
shovel, 3 £ 10s; 1 pair andirons, tongs, fender and shovel, 3 £ 
L7s 6d; 1 pair andirons, tongs, fender and shovel, 1 £ 17s (id; 1 
pair dog irons in great kitchen 3 £, 1 hot rache 4 £, 1 roasting fork 
2s (id, 1 plate basket 3s, 1 mahogany spider make tea table 1 £ 
lis. l screen 10s, 1 carpet 2 £ 15s, 1 pair bellows and brush lis, 

2 window curtains 2 £, 1 large marble mortar 1 £ Is, 1 hot rache 
in cellar 1 £ ?s (id, 2 mahogany card tables 4 £, 1 bed, pair of 
blankets, 1!) coverlets, pillows, bolsters and 1 mahogany table, 11 I'; 
bottles and pickle pots 1 Is, 1 dozen mountain wine 1 £ 4s, 4 chariot 
glasses frames 12s (5d, 12 pewter water plates 1 £. 

Colonel Fairfax presented Colonel and Mrs. Wash- 
ington with (be entire suite of furniture in k 'the Blue, or 
Dressing Room." 

The Fairfaxes were moderate loyalists. Not only 
was it not on account of tbe presaging troubles with the 
mother country that Colonel Fairfax returned to Eng- 
land, bill throughoul tbe war be extended liberal assist- 
ance to Americans in England, to which Washington 
testified when the confiscation of his American property 
wa> threatened: 

"I hope, I trust, thai no act of Legislation in the State 
of Virginia bas affected, or can affect, tbe property of 
this gentleman, otherwise than in common with that of 



MOUNT VERNON 119 

every good and well disposed citizen of America. It is a 
well known fact that his departure for England was not 
only antecedant to the present rupture with Great 
Britian, but before there was the most distant prospect 
of a serious dispute with that country, and if it is 
necessary to adduce proof of his attachment to the in- 
terests of America since his residence there, and of the 
aid he has given to many of our distressed countrymen 
in that kingdom, abundant instances may be produced, 
not only by the Gentlemen alluded to in his letter of 
December 5, 1779, but by others that are known to me, 
and on whom justice to Col. Fairfax will make it nec- 
essary to call, if occasion should require the facts be 
ascertained." 

John Parke Custis had now grown into young man- 
hood, and he, too, was soon lost to Mount Vernon, but 
under consoling circumstances. He had spent the last 
few years away from home at college or under private 
tutors, with results that often tried and vexed his step- 
father, who once said: "I can govern men, but I can- 
not govern boys." He supposed Jack was finally 
safely anchored when he placed him with the Rev. Mr. 
Boucher in Annapolis. There were frequent visits 
home from there, but the way lay past the door of 
Mount Airy, the seat of the Cal verts of Maryland, and 
within was an irresistible temptation in the person of 
Miss Eleanor. 

When the young people's intentions became obvious 
the politest letters passed between Mount Vernon and 
Mount Airy. Washington wrote Benedict Calvert, the 
young lady's father: 



120 MOUNT VERNON 

'My son-in-law and ward, Mr. Custis, lias, as T have 
been informed, paid his addresses to your second daugh- 
ter, and, having made 4 sonic progress in her affections, 
has solicited her in marriage. How far a union of this 
sort may be agreeable to you, you host can tell; but 
I should think myself wanting in candor, were I not 
to confess, thai Miss Nellie's amiable qualities are 
acknowledged on all hands, and that an alliance with 
your family will be pleasing to his. ... It may 
be expected of me, perhaps, to say something of prop- 
erty; l>ut, to descend to particulars, at this time, must 
seem rather premature. In general, therefore, I shall 
inform you, that Mr. Custis's estate consists of about 
fifteen thousand acres of land, a good part of it adjoining 
the city of Williamsburg, and none of it forty miles from 
that place; several lots in the said city; between two and 
three hundred negroes; and about eight or ten thousand 
pounds upon bond, and in the hands of his merchants. 
This estate he now holds independent of his mother's 
dower; which will he an addition to it at her death; and, 
upon the whole, it is such an estate as you will readily 
acknowledge ought to entitle him to a handsome 
portion with a wife. But as I should never require a 
child of my own to make a sacrifice of himself to interest 
so neither do I think it incunihcnt on me to recommend 
it as ;i guardian. At all times when you, Mrs. Calvert, 
or the young ladies, can make it convenient to favor us 
with a visit, we should he happy in seeing you at this 

place." 

To which Mr. Calverl replied with the grace which 
became one of the family of the Lords Baltimore: 



MOUNT VERNON 121 

" I Received the favour of yours of the 3 d Instant by M r 
Custis which I feel myself highly honoured by, and am 
truly happy in your Approbation of that young Gentle- 
mans future Union with my Second Daughter. I should 
be dead to Parental feelings, were I untouched with the po- 
lite manner in which you are pleased to compliment Nel- 
ly's Qualifications; Being her father, it would illy become 
me to sound her praise, perhaps I might be deemed partial 
— I shall therefore only say, That it has ever been the 
Endeavor of her Mother and me, to bring her up in such 
a manner, as to ensure the happiness of her future Hus- 
band, in which, I think, we have not been unsuccessful — 
if we have, we shall be greatly disappointed. . . . 
Mr. Custis I must acknowledge, is, as a match for my 
Daughter, much superior to the sanguine hopes which a 
parents fondness may have at any time encouraged me to 
indulge. . . . I can only add, on this subject, that, 
from the largeness of my family (having ten Children) no 
very great fortune can be expected : What that may be 
depends upon the Issue of my present depending Claim. 
Of this, Sir, however be assured, nothing in my power 
shall be left undone to promote so pleasing a Union — 
Nelly's portion, as far as my personal Estate will go, shall, 
at least, be equal to any of my other Children, nor will 
you, Sir, I am sure, desire more — I shall at all times, when 
convenient, be happy in bringing my family to wait on 
M rs Washington, and equally glad to see her & Miss Cus- 
tis with you at Mount Airy, where I hope it will suit you 
to call (next week early) in your way to Annapolis, and 
I will have the pleasure of attending you thither. 

" I am Dear Sir Your most obed 1 Humble Serv 1 

"Bened t Calvert 



122 MOUNT VERNON 

"I expect the pleasure of the Governors & M r . Hay- 
woods Company a Saturday Evening, they stay with 
me (ill Monday Morning, when they set off for M r . 
Bouchers where they propose to dine, and then go for 
Annapolis, I shall attend them there & return home in 
the Evening, without it will sute you to come here on 
Sunday and go up with them 

"B C" 

At the end of January, in 1774, the chariot was 
ferried across to AYarburton, and Colonel Washington 
followed the next day in the great barge and rolled in 
state to the Calvert seat. Mrs. Washington still felt 
the loss of her daughter too keenly to enter into the 
bridal gayety. The fashion of the two colonies were 
there, and on February 3d the nuptials were celebrated 
amid much festivity. Jack was not wholly lost to 
Mount Vernon, however, for he and his wife made their 
home at Abingdon, a plantation on the Virginia side of 
the Potomac about four miles above Alexandria and 
formerly the home of their friend Robert Alexander. A 
large portion of their time and their children's was 
-p«nt at Mount Vernon only a dozen miles away. It is, 
indeed, one of the traditions that "if any horse of the 
stables were started from Abingdon, and left to his own 
fnc will, it would be found in due time at the entrance 
<>f Mount Vernon." 

The passage of the Stamp Act imposing duties on 
goods imported into the colony, though at firsl con- 
sidered as a domestic difficulty which would yield to 
argument, was nevertheless resisted at once by the 
colonists. Washington was among the first by per- 



MOUNT VERNON 123 

suasion and example to oppose the injustice of the 
measure. 

The non-importation Resolves were the weapon with 
which the colonists hoped to change England's attitude. 
They were the basis of a continual stream of letters from 
Mount Vernon advancing at first the formation of a 
local non-importation association, after the pattern of 
that established at Philadelphia, and later the more 
aggressive attitude which culminated in the conventions 
of Fairfax County, Williamsburg, Richmond, and the 
two Congresses at Philadelphia. 

How Washington's principles bore upon the life of his 
own household is seen in his instructions to his London 
correspondents. In sending one of his orders to Robert 
Cary & Company for domestic goods in 1769, he wrote: 

"If there are any articles contained in either of the 
respective invoices (paper only excepted) which are 
taxed by act of Parliament for the purpose of raising a 
revenue in America, it is my express desire and request, 
that they may not be sent, as I have very heartily 
entered into an association (copies of which I make no 
doubt you have seen, otherwise I should have enclosed 
one) not to import any article which now is, or hereafter 
shall be taxed for this purpose until the said act or acts 
are repealed. I am therefore particular in mentioning 
this matter as I am fully determined to adhere relig- 
iously to it, and may perhaps have wrote for some things 
unwittingly which may be under these circumstances." 

This intention to import nothing for his home upon 
which Parliament had imposed a tax is repeated in an- 
other order on London in 1770: 



124 MOUNT VERNON 

"You will perceive, in looking over the several in- 
voices, thai some of llie goods there required, are upon 
condition, thai the act of Parliament imposing a duty on 
tea, paper, &c. for the purpose of raising a revenue in 

America, is totally repealed; and I beg the favor of you 
to be governed strictly thereby, as it will not be in my 
power to receive any articles contrary to our non-im- 
portation agreement, which I have subscribed, and shall 
religiously adhere to, and should, if it were, as I could 
wish it to be, ten times as strict." 

Washington and his neighbor, George Mason, were 
the leaders in the more aggressive attitude of the out- 
raged colonists. In 1771 there were continual trips be- 
tween Mount Vernon and Gunston Hall for conferences, 
and there eventuated the famous Resolves, written by 
Mason, and presented at a convention of the inhabi- 
tants of Fairfax County in July, at which Washington 
presided. In this meeting was the germ of the Second 
Continental Congress and in the Resolves was the in- 
spiration of the Declaration of Independence. 

Washington recorded this occasion with a simplicity 
which is the despair of the student; but in the light of 
w hat was accomplished and its etfect on the destiny of a 
people, the few words are epic: 

".Inly 17. ( Jol. Mason came in the afternoon, and staid all night. 
IS. Went up to Alexandria to a meeting of the County. 
Returned in the evening." 

After the Fairfax convention he was ; at Mount Vernon 
only long enough to pack up and hurry to the conven- 
tion at Williamsburg, where the astonishing conduct of 
General Gage at Boston was discussed. The nominally 



MOUNT VERNON 125 

silent delegate from Fairfax showed the warmth of his 
ardor when need be, as now, when, in "the most 
eloquent speech that ever was made," he declared with 
fire and force: "I will raise one thousand men, subsist 
them at my own expense, and march myself at their 
head for the relief of Boston." 

Hurrying home he discovered the house full of com- 
pany, but he found time for the Fairfax sale, letters to 
England and elsewhere, the arrangement of domestic 
affairs, and hurried off on the last day of the month for 
the first Congress at Philadelphia. The day before his 
departure Mount Vernon was the scene of another 
significant conference with George Mason, Patrick 
Henry, and Edmund Pendleton. They "came in the 
evening and stay'd all night." Next day, August 31st, 
"All the above gentlemen dined here; after which with 
Colo. Pendleton and Mr. Henry, I set out on my journey 
to Philadelphia." Pendleton said that before they set 
out Martha Washington "talked like a Spartan mother 
to her son on going to battle. 'I hope you will all stand 
firm — I know George will,' she said." 

When Washington returned home it was to pick up 
again the threads of the life he loved so well. He began 
at this time to make a reality of plans for the enlarge- 
ment and perfection of his house and grounds, which 
had long been maturing in his mind. 

The house stood in 1773 exactly as he found it when 
he took up his home there with his brother Lawrence, 
save for the repairs he made in anticipation of his 
marriage. The intervening fourteen years of domestic 
and social life brought out the limitations of the villa. 
It began to call again for repairs after so many years of 



126 MOUNT VERNOX 

hard use. Washington desired a more ambitious and 
commodious residence, and as early as 1773 planned the 
house as it appears to-day. This included the extension 
of the length of the house by the additions at each end 
measuring the full width of the original house, thirty- 
two feet by twenty-two feet, which would extend the 
house by forty-four feet in length. 

The new building operations were under way in the 
fall of 1773, as indicated by a quaint letter from a joiner 
in Washington's employ: 

"Sir/ 

"I am apprehensive that in the Bill of Scantling 
that I sent you it was order4 so as to have the Sleepers 
of Both the additions to Ly Length ways with the house 
if so the will not be Right by that means the floor will be 
a Cross and the Gelling plank the Length of the addition 
will not answer the intended purpose of haveing no 
heading Joints in the Lower floors, the S[l]eepers Need 
not l)c More then 10 feet Long to Join on a Summer 
in the Middle that must be Layd Length ways of 
House, the Sleepers Must be the same Breadth & 
thickness as them Mention? in the Bill & the Two 
Summers 10 by 14 and % L 2 foot Long 

"I am Sir Y r Most Hum'f Serv 1 
"Going Lanphier 



"N B I prepos d from the 
beginning l«> hay die floor- 
ing <x seeling Jousts Length 
way of the House it will be 
a Great Means to Strength- 
en the additions . . . . G L" 



"New Church Oct r 16: 1773 



MOUNT VERNON 127 

Washington no sooner began the cherished plans than 
the war drew him away. He left Lund Washington 
in charge of Mount Vernon, and the letters that passed 
back and forth tell somewhat of the progress and dura- 
tion of the work. At least one of the new additions was 
completed within two years, for Washington wrote 
home from Camp at Cambridge, August 20, 1775: "I 
wish you would quicken Lanphier and Sears about the 
Dining Room Chimney Piece (to be executed as men- 
tioned in one of my last letters) as I would wish that end 
of the House compleatly finished before I return." 

Lund Washington referred to the "new room" in his 
letters to his chief in 1775, as when, on October 15th, he 
wrote: "As to pulling down the plastering in the new 
room, it will not make a days odds in his doing the room. 
Mrs. Washington seems desireous that whatever is to be 
done to it, may be at once that she may get into it this 
winter"; and again on December 10th: "Sears has 
now painted the dining room twice over and the new 
room once." 

The further progress of Washington's extensive plans 
for his dwelling and for the outbuildings, the gardens 
and their walls, will appear later. At this time in- 
terruptions checked the work. Mount Vernon seemed 
destined to see its master's carefully planned efforts in 
its behalf carried on in his absence now as when he first 
put it in order to receive his wife. 

During the winter of 1774-1775 he was frequently 
from home. The house was the scene of continual con- 
ferences of the leaders of thought and action in the 
neighborhood and in the colony at large. George 
Mason was there; William Grayson, later first Senator 



l >s MOUNT VERNON 

For Virginia but now arming the Independenl Militia of 
Prince William with funds he was promised on these 
visits; Edmund Pendleton and Daniel of Saint Thomas 
Jenifer, the latter now as Major Jenifer, neighbor, 
coming to be directed in militia organization, but later 
to live in history as Signer of the Declaration of In- 
dependence for Maryland; Charles Lee, British and un- 
balanced, accompanied by his hounds, which he in- 
sisted on feeding in the dining-room; Horatio Gates, 
Major now but Adjutant General in June next; old 
companions in the French War, who, scenting powder, 
found their way to their former chief's scat "in search 
of courage and sympathy"; delegations from the various 
counties who came to offer Washington the command 
of their Independenl Militia "should they be obliged to 
have recourse to arms to defend their King and coun- 
try"'; and others in numbers, patriots for the most part, 
who recognized in the master of Mount Vernon their 
hope in the impending struggle. 

Washington found time for his visitors and for endless 
letters, and for the obligations placed upon him by the 
neighborhood and the colony. He was still a member 
of the House of Burgesses. As such he attended the 
\ irginia convention "in the old church in the town of 
Richmond," in March (1775) and brought home his ap- 
pointment torepresenl Virginia in the Second Continen- 
tal Congress and the thrilling story of Mr. Henry's per- 
oration: " I know not what course others may take, but 
as for me. give me liberty or give me death!" 

Less dramatically but uoi less fervently he wrote his 
lu-othei-. John Augustine, his own "full intention to de- 
vote my life and fortune in the cause we are engaged in." 



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MOUNT VERNON 129 

He had scarcely returned to Mount Vernon when 
word followed him from the low country that the Royal 
Governor had confiscated the powder stored in Wil- 
liamsburg, and he rode instantly to Fredericksburg to 
calm the six hundred men who had rushed to arms. 
Riders came to his door with messages from the militia 
of various counties offering to serve under his command. 
The pulse of the people was indeed throbbing. 

Toward the end of April his chariot rolled away again 
to Philadelphia. There was not probably either in his 
heart or Mrs. Washington's a full understanding of what 
their good-byes meant. He left to be absent a few 
weeks, at most, as Virginia's delegate in the Congress. 
He remained under pressure of a unanimous Assembly to 
accept the command of the independent army of the 
colonies. 

At this moment of such significance and obligation his 
thoughts flew at once to Mount Vernon. He wrote his 
"dear Patsey": 

"I am now set down to write you on a subject, which 
fills me with inexpressible concern, and this concern 
is greatly aggravated and increased, when I reflect upon 
the uneasiness I know it will give you. It has been de- 
termined in Congress, that the whole army raised for the 
defense of the American cause shall be put under my 
care, and that it is necessary for me to proceed im- 
mediately to Boston to take upon me the command of 
it. ... I shall feel no pain from the toil or the 
danger of the campaign ; my unhappiness will flow from 
the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone. 
I therefore beg, you will summon your whole fortitude, 



130 MOUNT VERNON 

and pass your time as agreeably as possible. Nothing 
will give nic so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, 
and to hear it from your own pen." 

To Jack Custis he wrote: 

"My great concern upon this occasion is, the thought 
of leaving your mother under the uneasiness which I 
fear this affair will throw her into; I therefore hope, ex- 
pect, and indeed have no doubt, of your using every 
means in your power to keep up her spirits, by doing 
everything in your power to promote her quiet. 
At any time, I hope it is unnecessary for me to say, that 
1 am always pleased with yours and Nelly's abidence at 
Mount Vernon; much less upon this occasion, when I 
think it absolutely necessary for the peace and satis- 
faction of your mother; a consideration which I have no 
doubt will have due weight with you, and require no ar- 
gument to enforce." 

To his brother John Augustine: 

"I am now to bid adieu to you, and to every kind of 
domestic ease, for a while. I am embarked on a wide 
ocean, boundless in its prospect, and in which, perhaps, 
no safe harbor is to be found. I have been called upon 
by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to take the com- 
mand of the Continental army; an honor I have neither 
sought after, nor desired, as I am thoroughly convinced, 
that it requires greater abilities and much more ex- 
perience, than I am master of, to conduct a business so 
extensive in its nature, and arduous in its execution. 
Hnl the partiality of the Congress, joined to a political 



MOUNT VERNON 131 

motive, really left me without a choice; and I am now 
commissioned a General and Commander-in-chief of all 
the forces now raised, or to be raised, for the defense of 
the United Colonies. That I may discharge the trust 
to the satisfaction of my employers, is my first wish; that 
I shall aim to do it, there remains as little doubt of. 
How far I shall succeed, is another point; but this I 
am sure of, that, in the worst event, I shall have the 
consolation of knowing, if I act to the best of my judge- 
ment, that the blame ought to lodge upon the ap- 
pointers, not the appointed, as it was by no means a 
thing of my seeking, or proceeding from any hint of my 
friends. ... I shall hope that my friends will 
visit and endeavor to keep up the spirits of my wife, 
as much as they can, as my departure will, I know, be a 
cutting stroke upon her; and on this account alone I 
have many very disagreeable sensations. I hope you 
and my sister, (although the distance is great) will find 
as much leisure this summer as to spend a little time at 
Mount Vernon." 

Washington did not see Mount Vernon again for six 
years. 



CHAPTER XI 

Mount Vernon During the Revolution — Mrs. Washington's 
Absences in Camp— Lund Washington in Charge of the Estate 

—The Door of Hospitality Kept Open by the Absent Master 
Postal Facilities — British on the Potomac — Designs on 
Mount Vernon — Mrs. Washington Flees for a Night — Tarl- 
ton's Raiders — Lund Propitiates the British — The General's 
Rebuke — Building Operations — The Northeast and South- 
west Additions Completed — Outbuildings Built and Rebuilt 

—The Portico— Belvoir Burned — The General's Brief Visit 
After Six Years' Absence — Death of John Parke Custis — 
Washington Adopts Two of His Children — Two Years Later 
Resigns Commission and Returns Home and to Private Life. 

MOUNT VERNON was indeed desolate to 
Martha Washington as she read the message 
of dreaded triumph which placed the destinies 
of the country in her husband's bands. The sacrifice 
was hers. In less than two years she had seen her family 
completely disintegrate: her daughter lost by death; her 
son by marriage; her husband by the call to the military 
service of his country. A sympathetic sense of this 
prompted Washington to write (hose first Idlers, after 
receiving his commission, to her relatives and his, beg- 
ging them to go to Mount Vernon and comfort his 
lonely wife. 

Jack Custis and his wife came down frequently from 
Abingdon, as the years rolled by, bringing the growing 
Family of babies l<> their affectionate grandmother: 
Elisabeth Parke the first; then Martha Parke, named 
for Mrs. Washington; then Eleanor Parke, named for 

132 



I 1 111 







''jjU BBB III 

mi in 
i i ibftii 





MOUNT VERNON 133 

her mother and hurried from her frail arms to Mount 
Vernon to be nursed by sturdy Mrs. Anderson, wife of 
the English steward; and finally the first boy, named 
for the only father he ever knew, George Washington 
Parke. Mrs. Washington's brothers and sisters, the 
Dandridges and Bassetts, journeyed up from New 
Kent, and friends from Alexandria and the neighboring 
estates on both sides of the Potomac came to break Mrs. 
Washington's loneliness. The house was " seldom with- 
out company" while she was there and "our stables are 
always full of horses," read the letters from home to the 
General. 

Mount Vernon was in charge of Lund Washington, 
as manager for the General, with whom no doubt a 
connection could be traced far out on some leafy branch 
of the ancestral tree. But it is said that neither of them 
knew what it was. Lund's lieutenant was Bishop, who 
only once, since the memorable vigil outside Mr. Cham- 
berlayne's door, had strayed from his chief. Too old 
for the active service of the days of Braddock, "he was 
left at home," wrote one who knew him well, "in charge 
of the manufacturing establishments of the household, 
wherein the veteran would flourish his cane, expecting 
as perfect obedience as though he had been commanding 
officer on parade. A comfortable house had been built 
for him; he had married; and, looking no more toward 
his native land, he was contented to pass the remainder 
of his days on the domain of his patron, where he rested 
from labor, in the enjoyment of every possible ease and 
indulgence." 

It may or may not be significant, but it is difficult 
to discover the traces of cordial intercourse between the 



134 MOUNT VERNON 

Washingtons and the Custises. From the time of 
Washington's marriage his mother never came to Mount 
Vernon. His sister and brothers seem rarely to have 
appeared there. It is indeed suspected that on their 
wedding, Washington married into the Widow Custis' 
family, rather than that she married into his. When 
her grandson wrote his reminiscences of life at Mount 
Vernon he mentioned but one of the General's relatives, 
a young nephew whose first name appeared casually 
in a quoted letter. In the next generation, however, 
some of the children of the General's brothers and sister 
appeared somewhat more at home at their uncle's house 
than their parents before them. 

When Washington accepted the command of the 
army he expressed no doubt that lie would return safe to 
Mount Vernon and his wife in the fall. Instead of 
which he was detained in Massachusetts. Mrs. Wash- 
ington, thereupon, was determined to go north and 
spend the winter in camp with him. For seven years 
this was her usual custom. When the stress of a sum- 
mer campaign eased and the army settled in winter 
quarters, the General would send an aide-de-camp to 
Mount Vernon to be her personal escort to Cambridge, 
Morristown, Valley Forge, Middlebrook, New Winsor, 
or wherever the army happened to be. Her chariot 
was occasionally accompanied by a military escort, by 
the General's order if the road lay dangerously near the 
enemy's line, oftener as a spontaneous compliment of 
the citizens of the districts through which she passed. 

( M' I he eight years and eight months that Washington 
was absenl (hiring the war Mrs. Washington spent 
Dearly half the time with him. At such times Mount 



MOUNT VERNON 135 

Vernon was deserted indeed. The house was quiet, 
the woods no longer echoed to the hounds and horn, 
and the well-travelled roadways, deserted by the smart- 
hoofed mounts and the broad-tired chariots of the cus- 
tomary stream of visitors, felt the green creeping up 
from ditches to wheel-rut. His mother resented his 
military activities now as formerly and said she wished 
"George would come home and attend to his planta- 
tion." 

However, even in the absence of both the master and 
mistress the doors of Mount Vernon were not entirely 
closed. The General wrote Lund Washington from 
Cambridge, shortly after Mrs. Washington joined him 
at headquarters: "Let the hospitality of the house, with 
respect to the poor, be kept up. Let no one go away 
hungry. If any of this kind of people should be in 
want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does 
not encourage them in idleness; and I have no objection 
to your giving my money in charity, to the amount of 
forty or fifty pounds a year, when you think it well 
bestowed." 

The progress of the war was followed with passionate 
but somewhat starved eagerness at Mount Vernon. 
The newspapers were few and without modern facilities 
for quick, precise, or ample news. There was no postal 
system to speak of. At intervals, usually of a week, 
express pony riders carried the mails north and south 
between the larger towns. England did nothing for 
the colonies in this respect and they did practically 
nothing for themselves. The mails were in the hands of 
private carriers, and important letters or consignments 
of money were not considered safe in their hands. If 



136 MOUNT VERNON 

the matter was urgent and confidential a private bearer 
was despatched with the letter. Gentlemen about to 
undertake a journey allowed the fact to become known 
among I heir particular friends in the neighborhood and 
often started away with numerous packets of letters, 
Large sums of money, and with negotiable papers of con- 
siderable value. Nevertheless it was upon the unreli- 
able post-rider and the occasional accommodating 
traveller that Mount Vernon depended for communica- 
tion with the General. Lund was faithful to the order 
that Washington ever put upon his managers in his 
absence, to write regularly and in full once a week about 
the condition of his estate. Many of his letters are 
preserved, and they afford an acquaintance with the life 
there to be found at no other source. 

Washington had been gone but a few months when 
the presence of war in the land became evident at Mount 
Vernon. One of Governor Dunmore's first strokes 
was to threaten a declaration of freedom for all inden- 
tured servants in the colonies. Lund Washington wrote 
that such an order would wreck their working forces. 
But this fear dwindled presently before the larger alarm 
which spread along tidewater Potomac, as news came 
that English ships were on their way up the river to 
lay waste the towns and country, capture Mrs. Wash- 
ington, and burn Mount Vernon. 

Lund wrote the General in a tone obviously designed 
to allay his fears: "She does not believe herself in 
danger, nor do I," he said; "without they attempt to 
take her in the dead of night, they would fail, for ten 
minutes notice would be sufficient for her to get out of 
the way." A lew days later he wrote: "Mrs. Washing- 



MOUNT VERNON 137 

ton was under no apprehension of Lord Dunmore doing 
her an injury, until your mention of it in several of your 
letters." Nevertheless, she postponed a trip down 
country in order to pack the General's papers, the silver, 
and other valuables, and hold herself and them in readi- 
ness for instant departure inland. 

Dunmore's expedition came up as far as the mouth of 
Occoquon Creek, into which flows the Bull Run of two 
great battles nearly a century later. Here he en- 
countered the Prince William Militia and a severe 
storm, a combination which he found too forbidding for 
his further progress; not, however, before he had thrown 
the countryside into a panic. A few days later George 
Mason wrote Washington: "Dunmore has come and 
gone, and left us untouched except by some alarms. 
I sent my family many miles back into the country, and 
advised Mrs. Washington to do likewise as a prudential 
movement. At first she said, 'No, I will not desert 
my post,' but finally she did so with reluctance, rode 
only a few miles, and — plucky little woman as she is, 
stayed away only one night." 

The dwellers along tidewater became active in con- 
sidering measures to thwart the dreaded Dunmore; more 
active in considering than in putting them into effect. 
It was proposed to protect Mount Vernon and the upper 
river by batteries on Lower Cedar Point where the 
channel is narrowest, or at Maryland Point, or farther up 
even on the commanding bluffs of Indian Head. Hob- 
son's Santiago expedient was anticipated, Lund Wash- 
ington writing his chief, October 29, 1775: "As I re- 
membered hearing Captain Boucher say he would 
undertake with three ships to stop the channel so that 



138 MOUNT VERNON 

no ship of force could get up the River, I proposed that 
he should be immediately scut to and consulted upon 
it." But in the cud aothing was done. 

The following January there were renewed rumors of 
the approach of British vessels to destroy Blount 
Vernon, and the neighborhood was in another panic. 
This time Lund did not conceal his apprehensions, per- 
haps because Mrs. Washington was with the General, 
and he did not have to dissemble to spare his chief's 
fears for his wife. 

"Alexandria is much alarmed, and indeed the whole 
neighborhood," he wrote. "The women and children 
are leaving the town and stowing themselves in every 
hut they can find, out of the reach of the enemy's 
cannon. Every wagon, cart, and pack-horse, they can 
get, is employed. The militia are all up, but not in 
arms, for indeed they have none, or at least very few. 
I could wish, if we were to have our neighborhood in- 
vaded, that they would send a tender or two among us, 
that we might see how the people would behave on the 
occasion. Thay say they are determined to fight. I 
am about packing up your China and glass in barrels, 
and other things into chests, trunks, and bundles, and 
1 shall be able at the shortest notice to remove them out 
of the way. I fear the destruction will be great, al- 
though the best care has been taken. Everybody I see 
tells me, that if the people could have notice they would 
immediately come and defend your property, so long as 
they have life, from Loudoun, Prince William, Fau- 
quier, and this county." 

But this time the ships did not even enter the 
Potomac After cruising about the Chesapeake they 



MOUNT VERNON 139 

finally felt the sting of the colonists' gunfire, and sped 
away, and Dunmore did not appear again to disturb the 
planters of the Potomac. 

For the rest of the war Mount Vernon was unthreat- 
ened until its very last year. Early in 1781 British 
Tarleton with his band of red-coat raiders swung up 
from the southwest like a whirlwind. Word came that 
Jefferson's Monticello was their first objective and 
Washington's home would be the next. Tarleton 
reached Charlottesville, but his easterly course was 
aimed no higher than Fredericksburg. 

W T hen the fright about the river raid was first on at 
the beginning of the war, Lund wrote bravely: "I think 
fifty men well armd might prevent two hundred from 
burning Mount Vernon, situated as it is; no way to get 
up to it but up a steep hill, and if I remember right 
General Gates told me it could not be done by the 
shipping. I wish I had the muskets I would endeavor 
to find the men, black or white, that would at least make 
them pay dear for the attempt." 

Apparently he never got the muskets, for shortly after 
the Tarleton scare British ships appeared in the river 
and actually anchored off Mount Vernon. Lund ob- 
viously was not without spirit; but without arms and 
the men, discretion seemed to him the better part of 
valor. What he did, and his chief's reflection on it, 
appear in the General's celebrated rebuke to the man 
for whom, however, he never lost admiration or af- 
fection : 

"I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am a little sorry 
to hear of my own; but that which gives me most con- 



L40 MOUNT VERNON 

ecru is, thai you should go on hoard the enemy's ves- 
sels, and furnish them with refreshments. It would 
have been a less painful circumstance to me to have 
heard, that in consequence of your non-compliance with 
their request, they had burnt my House and laid the 
Plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered 
yourself as my representative, and should have re- 
fleeted on the had example of communicating with the 
enemy, and making a voluntary offer of refreshments to 
I hem with a view to prevent a conflagration. It was 
not in your power, I acknowledge, to prevent them from 
sending a flag on shore, and you did right to meet it; but 
you should, in the same instant that the business of it 
was unfolded, have declared explicitly, that it w T as im- 
proper for you to yeild to the request; after which, if 
they had proceeded to help themselves by force, you 
could have hut submitted; and, (being unprovided for 
defense,) this was to he preferred to a feeble opposition, 
which only serves as a pretext to burn and destroy." 

None of the military "alarums and excursions," how- 
ever, disturbed the work on the place. The improve- 
ments on the house went forward. Before the end of 
177.5 Lanphier and Sears and "the stucco man" com- 
pleted "the new room," the chimney piece, and the 
dining-room ceiling, which was "a handsomer one than 
any of Col. Lewis's [at Kenmore House, Fredericksburg] 
although not half the work on it." Lund had many 
other operations on the way at this time, among them 
the building or rebuilding of the storehouse, the wash- 
house, the garden walls, and their lit tie octagon houses for 
school and seeds and tools. He was, moreover, eager to 




The North Colonnade 

Through the arches may be seen the Circle and the Bowling Green 
surrounded l>y the Serpentine Drive 



MOUNT VERNON 141 

complete the other addition to the mansion, but the fear 
of new raids filled him with apprehension. 

"I think if you could be of opinion that your buildings 
would not be destroyed this summer," he wrote his 
chief in February, 1776, "it would be best to have the 
other addition to the end of your house raised . . . 
but this cannot be done without a master workman, un- 
less you choose to once more try Lanphier." Washing- 
ton evidently was forced to put up with this incorri- 
gible, for in the spring of 1778 Lund still had him on hand 
and wrote: "Of all the worthless men living Lanphier 
is the greatest, no act or temptation of mine can prevail 
on him to came to work notwithstanding his repeated 
promises to do so. I wanted so much to get the windows 
finished in the Pediment that I might have the garrett 
passage plastered and cleared out before Mrs. Washing- 
ton's return, Besides this the scaffolding in the front of 
the house cannot be taken away before it is finished. 
This prevents me from putting up the steps to the great 
front door." 

At this time, 1778, instead of after the war as gener- 
ally stated, the mansion was raised to the extended pro- 
portions in which it has ever since been so familiar, and 
the curved and colonnaded covered ways now rose to 
connect the big house with the nearest of the many little 
houses. To this time, too, may doubtless be attributed 
the lofty portico extending the length of the river side of 
the mansion, for so shortly after his return after the war 
as to have made it impracticable for him to have built it 
at that time, Washington ordered new stone flagging and 
dug up the old pavement and laid the new. 

The traditions which cluster about the old house in- 



142 MOUNT VERNON 

elude among the improvements made early in the war, 
the removal of the partition in the main passage or hall, 
thus making one extended hall from front to front, 
and the installation of the panelling of the new big hall 
as it has since remained. 

Lund included in his letters all the personal news 
of tin 4 neighborhood and the estate, making them a 
gazette of lib 4 at home on the big river. After the 
receipt of one of these letters it was Washington's sad 
duty to be obliged to write Colonel Fairfax in England 
of the complete destruction of his house, Belvoir, by 
fire early in 1783. "But mine (which is enlarged since 
you saw it)," he hastened to add, "is most sincerely at 
your service till you can rebuild it." Belvoir was never 
rebuilt. Of it there remains neither authentic plan nor 
painting. Its site is an overgrown thicket where the 
lines of the foundation are scarcely to be traced. This 
beautiful and historic spot, which bound up some of the 
most agreeable and cherished experiences of Washing- 
ton's life, was threatened with uses a few years ago 
which would have been at once a blight upon it and 
Mount Vernon. Friends of Washington's home and 
neighborhood, however, led by the Mount Vernon 
Ladies' Association, preserved it by securing the transfer 
of the threatened lands to the United States Army, 
which has dedicated it to the training of soldiers and 
officer-. 

It ha- been said that when Washington rode away in 
the spring of 1??.*). to attend the Second Continental 
Congress at Philadelphia, he did not return to Mount 
Vernon again for six years. In fact, during the whole 
course of t he war, and for two years after ( 'ornwaUis sur- 



MOUNT VERNON 143 

rendered to him at Yorktown in 1781, he was in Virginia 
only once. In passing south to Yorktown and in re- 
turning north again he stopped briefly at his home. 
During his absence of eight years and eight months 
he was at Mount Vernon only ten days. 

The whole plantation was thrown into a commotion 
in the early morning of Sunday, the 9th of September, 
1781, by the announcement of the arrival of the General, 
and old Bishop's younger rival, Billy Lee, his groom of 
hunting days and personal attendant throughout the 
war. They had pressed on ahead of the army which 
was making a forced march south to join LaFayette at 
Williamsburg. 

Next to the greeting of his "dear Patsey ," his return was 
distinguished for him by his first sight of his now com- 
pleted mansion, and by his first acquaintance with Mrs. 
Washington's four grandchildren, the three daughters 
and baby boy of Jack and Nelly Calvert Custis, all born 
during his absence in the field. 

On Monday General Count de Rochambeau came, 
followed by General Count de Chastellux. After rest- 
ing another full day Washington, accompanied by his 
two French guests, their servants, and Jack Custis, set 
off on Wednesday morning for the south. 

On this trip there was no dallying at country houses. 
The errand was stern and significant, and Washington 
pressed across country in record time. He reached the 
capital Friday afternoon and was welcomed by La- 
Fayette and the French soldiers with military honors 
which became his exalted command. One month and 
five days later the fighting ceased. 

This happy event was clouded by the news brought 



m MOUNT VERNON 

Washington from Eltham, Colonel Bassett's place in 
New Kent, where Jack Custis lay at the point of death. 
Couriers had already speeded to Mount Vernon to sum- 
mon the dying man's wife and mother. Doctor Craik 
hurried from Yorktown to give his friend what assist- 
ance lie could. The General and his wife together 
watched the ebb of the young life of him who had been 
as son to both of them. By his death Mrs. Washington 
was now childless, but the General filled the gap in 
both their lives and gave promise of continued youthful- 
ncss at Mount Vernon by adopting the two youngest 
children, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington 
Parke Custis, as their own. 

Six days later Washington was at Mount Vernon, 
where he remained a week, and departed to the north 
for another absence of two years, holding the army in 
that preparedness which would insure a desirable treaty 
of peace; then disbanding it and concluding his own rela- 
tion to the military service. lie resigned his commission 
.it Annapolis on December 23, 1783; took affectionate 
leave of his companions in arms; and once more a pri- 
vate citizen, with Mrs. Washington by his side, and 
accompanied by Colonels David Humphreys, William 
Smith, and Benjamin Walker, he rode forward over the 
familiar Maryland roads toward his beloved Mount 
Vernon. 




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CHAPTER XII 

Washington's Delight to Be at Mount Vernon Again — Letters 
— Journeys to Fredericksburg, Philadelphia, and the Ohio 
Country — Putting a Finish on Grounds and Buildings — The 
Bowling Green and the Serpentine Drive — Trees — The Deer 
Park — Gardens — Walls — Barns — Fences — A Toper's Con- 
tract — The General's Warhorse, Nelson — Mrs. Washington's 
Grandchildren — His Nephews and Nieces — First Wedding 
in the Mansion — Dreaming of a Deed from the General — 
Shiftless Harriott. 

THE General and Mrs. Washington reached 
home Christmas Eve. His "people" from 
the various farms gathered at the gate and 
along the drive to give them welcome. Among them 
was Bishop, easily forgiven for any envy he felt of 
young Billy Lee. They lighted the night with bonfires 
and made it noisy with fiddling and dancing in the 
quarters. At the great door of the mansion the home- 
comers were greeted by a troop of relatives, and next 
day the neighbors drove in from all directions to add 
their welcome. 

The unconscious historian of this occasion was a little 
girl, one of the Lewis children of Fredericksburg, who 
wrote a friend: "I must tell you what a charming day 
I spent at Mt. Vernon with Mama and Sally. The 
General] and Madame came home on Christmas Eve, 
and such a racket as the servants made! They were 
glad of their coming. Three handsome young officers 
came with them. All Christmas afternoon people 

145 



146 MOUNT VERNON 

came to pay their respects and duty. Among these 
were stately dames and gay young women. The General 
seemed very happy and Mrs. Washington was up before 
daybreak making everything as agreeable as possible 
for everybody." 

Washington's early let ters after reaching Mount Ver- 
non breathe the relief and joy he felt to have closed his 
"transactions with the public" and arrived at "the 
goal of domestic enjoyment." 

It was perhaps natural that he should write with 
least reserve and most sentiment to his dear LaFayctte: 

"At length, my dear Marquis, I am become a private 
citizen on the banks of the Potomac; and under the 
shadow of my own vine and fig-tree, free from the bustle 
of a camp, and the busy scenes of public life, I am solac- 
ing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the 
soldier, who is ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman, 
whose watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in 
devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own, 
perhaps the ruin of other countries, as if this globe were 
insufficient for us all, and the courtier, who is always 
watching the countenence of his prince, in hopes of 
catching a gracious smile, can have very little concep- 
tion. I have not only retired from all public employ- 
ments, but 1 am retiring within myself, and shall be able 
to view the solitary walk, and tread the paths of private 
life, with heartfelt satisfaction. Envious of none, I am 
determined to be pleased with all; and this, my dear 
friend, being the order of my march, T will move 
gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my 
fathers." 



MOUNT VERNON 147 

In a somewhat similar sentimental vein he wrote the 
Marchioness de LaFayette, in reply to her felicitations: 

"From the clangor of arms and the bustle of a camp, 
freed from the cares of public employment and the 
responsibility of office, I am now enjoying domestic 
ease under the shadow of my own vine and fig-tree ; and 
in a small villa, with the implements of husbandry and 
lambkins around me, I expect to glide gently down the 
stream of life, till I am entombed in the dreary mansion 
of my fathers." 

But to his fellow-campaigner, General Knox, he ex- 
pressed his situation seven weeks after his return in 
more literal terms: 

"I am just beginning to experience that ease and 
freedom from public cares, which, however desireable, 
takes some time to realize; for, strange as it may seem, 
it is nevertheless true, that it was not till lately I could 
get the better of my usual custom of ruminating, as soon 
as I waked in the morning, on the business of the ensuing 
day; and of my surprise at finding, after revolving many 
things in my mind, that I was no longer a public man, 
nor had anything to do with public transactions. 

"I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveller 
must do, who, after treading many a painful step with a 
heavy burthen on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, 
having reached the haven to which all the former were 
directed; and from his house-top is looking back, and 
tracing with an eager eye the meanders by which he 
escaped the quicksands and mires which lay in his way; 
and into which none but the all-powerful Guide and 



1 1,8 .MOUNT VERNON 

Dispenser of human events could have prevented his 
falling." 

Relief was the keynote of all he expressed, relief and a 
desire to remain undisturbed in the tranquillity of his 
home. ki I feel myself relieved of a load of public care,'* 
lie wrote Governor Clinton. "I hope to spend the 
remainder of my days cultivating the affections of good 
men, and in the practice of the domestic virtues." It 
was now his devoutly expressed wish "to glide silently 
and unnoticed through the remainder of life." 

The ice and snow of a particularly rigid winter locked 
the family in the house during I he first weeks of the 
General's return. During this time he laid oul a scheme 
of work for his military secretaries, for improvements on 
the grounds and gardens and farms, and for the recovery 
of his extensive private interests from the confusion 
into which they had run during his long absence. 

He settled down eventually to the routine of his life 
before the war, but not until he had made some trips 
during the first months after his return home. In 
February he braved roads and weather to pay his duty 
to his mother in Fredericksburg. In May he attended 
the meeting of the Society of the ( incinnati at Philadel- 
phia. At the (Mid of the summer he made his hasty 
journey to view his lands on the Kanawha and the 
Ohio. He was accompanied only by his nephew Bush- 
rod Washington, Doctor Craik and his son William, 
and three servants. They travelled on horseback and 
covered the entire distance of six hundred and eighty 
miles in thirty-four days between September 1st and 
October ttl . 




A Vista 

Through the lofty portico on the river side of the Mansion, looking down the 
Potomac. The right shore is Virginia, the left shore is Maryland 



MOUNT VERNON 149 

Save for three absences in Richmond he was not many 
miles from Mount Vernon until public service again 
made him an exile five years later. It is a notable fact 
that Washington rarely went far from his home except 
when called by duty or business. His interest and 
purpose attached to his house and lands and he left 
them only at the sacrifice of personal preferences. 

It is not easy to see what Lund Washington left him 
to do by way of making those improvements to his 
house which have so often been attributed to the first 
years after the war. But the severe winter called out 
his ingenuity to make his house warmer, so it may have 
been at this time that he lathed and plastered the lower 
side of the floor planks between the joists in the cellar. 
The original laths and plaster have long since disap- 
peared, but the unmistakable evidences of them remain. 
It was then not an uncommon method of keeping the 
floors free from draughts, for those were not days of 
tongue and groove lumber. He now prepared a dry 
well for ice in the cellar under the banquet hall, and 
possibly the cupola may be attributed to the work done 
at this time. 

It is known that, in the spring of 1786, he renewed the 
paving of the great piazza on the river front. No por- 
tion of the house received more general or more severe 
usage than this out-of-door shelter with its magnificent 
views of the Potomac. Not only was it in constant 
service by the members of the household, but the great 
gatherings of visitors were received and entertained 
there, for which thirty windsor chairs were provided, 
and, when winter weather prevented the General from 
taking his usual exercise on foot or horseback, he paced 



150 MOUNT VERNON 

tlu* portico for .in hour before retiring to rest. Its 
floor is, by Washington's own record, one hundred and 
twenty-four feel and ten and a half inches above the 
river level. Evidently the first pavement placed there 
by Lund Washington did not stand well, for says the 
diary (1786): "May 22, Began to lake up t lie pavement 
of the piazza," and "May 23, Began to lay the flags of 
my piazza." Washington attributed the need of new 
flags to the effect of frost on the old, but the new ones 
have remained there to the present time. 

In so far as concerned his house and grounds he had 
passed the days of assembly, and now entered on a 
period of decoration, polish, and finish. This appeared 
especially in his attention to his west lawn, its encircling 
diive, and the trees which border it; the two walled gar- 
dens, that to the south for vegetables and that to the 
north for (lowers and flowering shrubs in greenhouse 
and box-patterned beds; the deer-park, the ha-ha walls, 
and the miles of fences on the various farms. As in all 
improvements of whatever character at Mount Vernon, 
Washington made his own plans and drawings. 

The great enclosed lawn on the west side of the man- 
sion includes a level stretch of nearly two acres about 
which he laid out a carriage drive, called his Serpentine 
Road, and which in its courses passed the great door of 
I he mansion, the doors of four of the small or "office" 
buildings, and the entrance to each garden, and de- 
scribed somewhat the outline of the shield of the I nited 
States. The trees on either side of the Serpentine, as it 
stretched away from the big house, terminated, by 
Washington's own description, "with two mounds of 
v irth, one on each side, on which -tow weeping willows, 








Samuel Vaughan's Plan of Mount Vernon 

Among the treasures at Mount Vernon where it is accredited the original sketch. It 
is here reproduced for the first lime. The following references are in part from the 
notes attached to the original: 1. Mansion House; 'i. Kitchen and Servants' Hall; 
3. Store House; 4, Smoke House; 5, Wash House; G, Coach House; 7. Old Brick 
Stables; 8, Barn and Carpenter Shop; !>, Lodgings for White Servants; 1(1, Tailor 
and Shoemaker Shop; 11, Carpenter Shop; 12, Spinning House; l.'i. Blacksmith Shop; 
14, House for Families; 1."), Hot House; Hi, Kitchen Gardens; 17, Necessaries, 18, 
Spring House; 1!), Lawn; 20, For Manure; '21, School; 22, Seed House. Number 
16 on the left is the Flower Garden 



MOUNT VERNON 151 

leaving an open and full view of the distant woods. 
The mounds are sixty yards apart." 

In 1785 and 1786 his diary is a running guide to his 
activities in the adornment of his grounds. On Janu- 
ary 19th he was "employd until dinner time in laying 
out my Serpentine Road & Shrubberies adjoining." 
In February he " Removed two pretty large & full-grown 
lilacs to the N° Garden gate — one on each side taking 
up as much dirt with the roots as c d be well obtained"; 
he "also removed from the woods and the old fields, 
several young trees of sassafras, Dogwood & Redbud, 
to the Shrubbery on the N° side the grass plot"; and he 
"planted all the Mulberry trees, Maple trees & Black 
gums in my Serpentine walks — and the Poplars on the 
right walk." In the long list of trees that he planted 
and grafted, earlier and later, at Mount Vernon, are 
found: the Whitethorn, Hemlock, Mediterranean Pine, 
Holly, Tulip, Sweet Gum, Oak, Balsam, Mulberry, 
Aspen, Ash, Locust, Fringetree, Willow, Magnum 
Bonum Plum, French Walnut, Mississippi Nut, Crab 
Scions, Butter Pear, Spanish Pear "from Collo. Mason," 
Black Pear of Worcester, Bergamy Pear, Early June 
Pear, Newton Pippin, Gloucester White Apple, Cullock 
Heart Cherry, Early May Cherry, Large Duke Cherry, 
Black May Cherry, May Duke Cherry, Carnation 
Cherry, English Mulberry, Quince, Peach, and others. 

He hunted the woods for miles to bring home a rare 
or perfect specimen for his lawns. He brought acorns 
and buckeyes back from the Monongahela. He sought 
the cooperation of friends on both sides of the Atlantic 
to help embellish his estate. "Whenever you conceive 
the season is proper," he wrote Governor Clinton of 



152 MOUNT VERNON 

New York, "and opportunity offers, I shall hope to 
receive I lie balsam trees, or any others, which you may 
think curious and exotics with us, as I am endeavoring 
to improve the grounds about my house in this way. 
If perchance the sloop Pilgrim is not yet sailed from 
your port, you would add to the favor you mean to con- 
fer on me, by causing a number of grape vines, sent to 
me by an nude of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, brought 
over by Captain Williams, and deposited by him in 
the garden of Mr. Beekman near the City of New York, 
to be forwarded by that vessel. They consist of a 
variety of (lie most valuable eating grapes in France. 
A list of the kinds, and the distinctions of them, no 
doubt accompanied them. I pray you to take some of 
each sort for your own use, and offer some to Mr. Beek- 
man." 

The especial pride of his kitchen garden were the 
fig-trees which were trained on the warm side of the north 
wall. Amariah Frost, who wrote his account of a visit 
to Mount Vernon in Washington's lifetime, found the 
gardens "very elegant," and abounding in many curiosi- 
ties, among which he enumerated "Fig-trees, raisins, 
limes, oranges, etc., large English mulberries, artichokes, 
etc. " The "raisin" is more familiar to-day as the currant 
bush. 

The unmanageable undergrowth on the faces of the 
bluff between the mansion and the river gave offense 
to Washington's sense of order and economy. To be 
rid of the thicket, without the trouble of keeping it 
down by labor, and at the same time add a new grace to 
his estate, he enclosed about one hundred acres with a 
wooden paling in 1785, and stocked the enclosure with 



MOUNT VERNON 153 

deer to beat it down to a park. It may be that his old 
friend, Colonel Fairfax, suggested this characteristic 
feature of a country estate, for in writing to him to 
thank him for offering to secure him "a buck and doe 
of the best English deer," Washington said: "but if 
you have not already been at this trouble, I would, my 
good sir, now wish to relieve you from it, as Mr. Ogle 
of Maryland has been so obliging as to present me six 
fawns from his park of English deer at Bellair. With 
these, and tolerable care, I shall soon have a full stock 
for my small paddock." 

The brick walls about the two gardens, built during 
the war, were not merely utilitarian; they were part of 
the grand plan which united with architectural formal- 
ity and proportion the big house, the little houses, the 
gardens, and the bowling green. But as the place took 
on finish it became exacting. It demanded that the 
barns and open stable court be screened from the lawns 
on the east side of the mansion, and Washington met 
the demand with the stepped wall which descends the 
hill with a grace that makes it almost imperceptible. 
Those were days before lawn-mowers when the cattle 
did the useful office of keeping the grass down. Un- 
sightly pasture fences were no longer to be tolerated, 
so he built the English ha-ha walls across the north 
and south river lawns and beyond the west end of the 
bowling green. These walls, in effect brick terraces, 
were invisible from the house, but held the cattle at a 
distance while admitting them to the landscape. 

Mount Vernon was in reality completed in all its 
adornments within a few years after the war. This 
accomplished, Washington continually repaired, but 



154 MOUNT VERNON 

he did not materially alter the house or the fundamental 
plan of t ho grounds and small buildings. Changes in 

the outlying farms, however, were constantly under 
way. There was always a force of woodmen to cut and 
hew timber, and of carpenters and joiners to work the 
lumber up into farm buildings. Washington's pride 
as a farmer centred at this time on his new barn. It 
stood in the centre of Union Farm about halfway be- 
tween the mansion and the mill, and measured one 
hundred feet long by more than one hundred feet deep. 
The plan was furnished by the celebrated English 
tanner, Arthur Young, but Washington modified it for 
his own emergencies. 

Even at so early a period of the settlement of the 
country the astute Washington realized the necessity 
of economy in the use of timber. His thousands of 
acres were subdivided by miles of fences. The split- 
rail fence w T as commonly in use. lie had begun several 
years before to replace these fences with hedges. "At 
least fill ecu years," he said in 179.5, "have I been urging 
my managers to substitute live fences in lieu of dead 
ones — which, if continued upon the extensive scale my 
farina require, must exhaust all my timber; — and to this 
moment I have not one that is complete: — nor never 
shall, unless they are attended to in the manner before 
mentioned; and if plants die, to replace them the next 
season; and so on, until the hedge is close, compact, and 
sufficient to answer the purpose for which it is designed." 

Whatever other interests may have made their de- 
mands, wherever else he may have been called, neither 
now nor later did Washington cease to be the planter 
of, if not at, Mount Vernon. While away he kept in 



MOUNT VERNON 155 

touch with his manager through the exchange of weekly 
reports and letters, and he dictated astonishingly minute 
details of policy and procedure. In exercising this 
genius for detail he did not always escape humorous 
results, as in the contract with a gardener; wherein, in 
consideration of his attending faithfully to his work and 
keeping himself from being "disguised with liquor," 
Washington agrees to allow him, among other emolu- 
ments, "four dollars at Christmas, with which he may 
be drunk four days and four nights; two dollars at 
Easter to effect the same purpose; two dollars at Whit- 
suntide to be drunk for two days; a dram in the morning 
and a drink of grog at dinner at noon." 

So when he came back after the war, he complained a 
little that the farms were shabby and that farming was 
impoverishing him, but he resumed his old routine, 
nevertheless, easily and naturally. He was again in the 
saddle daily, riding his circuit from farm to farm, to 
reappear at the great front door at fifteen minutes be- 
fore the dinner hour punctually as the needle on the 
sundial, with which he now invariably compared his 
watch. 

Somewhere along the way, however, he compromised 
with time to allow himself a few extra minutes, for it is 
said that he now added one final unfailing stop to his 
daily rounds. It was at the pasture where a tall, ag- 
ing chestnut, with white face and legs, came at his call 
to receive the caresses of his master's hand. This was 
his battle-horse, Nelson, his companion in the war, and 
"remarkable as the first nicked horse seen in America." 
He bore Washington on his back when Cornwallis sur- 
rendered to him at Yorktown. Then he was mustered 



156 .MOUNT VERNON 

out of service and a saddle was never put on his back 
again. 

Nothing else in life seemed to delight Washington as 
Mount Vernon and its belongings, its development and 
upkeep. "Agriculture has ever been among the most 
favored of my amusements," he wrote Arthur Young, 
"though I have never possessed much skill in the art, 
and nine years total inattention to it has added nothing 
to a knowledge, which is best understood from practice; 
but with the means you have been so obliging as to 
Furnish me, I shall return to it, though rather late in the 
day, witli more alacrity than ever." 

When Washington resumed life at Mount Vernon the 
household was curiously similar to that when he began 
his married life there twenty-four years before. Then 
there were himself and Mrs. Washington and her two 
children, John and Martha, respectively four and two 
years old. Now there were still himself and Mrs. 
Washington, and again a little girl and a little boy, but 
though adopted by Washington, they were her grand- 
children this lime, Eleanor Parke Custis and George 
Wa -hin -Ion Parke Custis, respectively four and two 
year- old. 

Washington's marriage was childless, but his paternal 
a licet ions spent themselves without reserve first on 
Mrs. Washington's children and then on her grand- 
children. They found themselves as much at home at 
Mount Vernon as if it were their own father's house. Of 
the evidences of his petting of the children none perhaps 
is more charming than his thought of tiny Nellie and 
\\ ashington when, in the confusion of settling the public 
business in Philadelphia, he took time to shop for toys 




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MOUNT VERNON 157 

for them, in anticipation of that Christmas Eve return 
from the war. The items are recorded in his note-book 
with his customary precision: 

By Sundries bo 1 , in PhiK 

A Locket 5 5 

3 Small Pock 1 . Books 1 10 

3 Sashes 150 

Dress Cap 2 8 

Hatt 3 10 

Handkerchief 1 

Childrens Books 4 6 

Whirligig 16 

Fiddle 2 6 

Quadrille Boxes 1 17 6 

Washington had twenty-two nephews and nieces who 
survived infancy. His wife had almost as many. They 
were a humanly uneven group. But their uncle was 
generous and devoted to them according to their de- 
serts. He found commissions for several nephews in the 
army. It is said, though on what authority it does not 
appear, that ''he did not hesitate to give them posts of 
danger, and their pay came out of his pocket." Some 
of the boys he sent to school at his own expense, and he 
was glad to have the girls come to Mount Vernon and 
meet the distinguished visitors with an eye to desirable 
husbands for them. 

When Lund Washington left Mount Vernon in 1785 
and retired to his own estate, Hayfield, about four miles 
back from the river, he was succeeded as manager by 
George Augustine Washington, son of the General's 
youngest brother, Charles. While a member of his 
uncle's family and in his house George met Frances 



158 MOUNT VERNON 

Bassett, Mrs. Washington's niece, and the second union 
of the Washington and Dandridge families followed in 
their marriage, on October 15, 17S5. This appears to 
have been the first wedding ever solemnized at Mount 
Vernon. Before retiring that night the General noted 
in his diary with a quaint simplicity: 

"The Reverend M r . Grayson, and Doct r Griffith; 
Lund Washington, his wife, & Miss Stuart came to 
Dinner — all of them remained the Evening except L. W. 
—After the Candles were lighted George Aug*' Washing- 
ton and Frances Bassett were married by M r Grayson." 

Bushrod, son of John Augustine Washington, became 
his favorite nephew, even as his father was the General's 
favorite brother; and to him his uncle bequeathed Mount 
Vernon. There is something more to be told of him in 
its place in this story. 

There is a tradition of another nephew, whose name is 
not given, who discovered his distinguished uncle's 
ownership of a plantation which the young man fancied. 
His desire for the place was so much on his mind thai he 
one night dreamed his uncle had given it to him. The 
next lime he was at Mount Vernon he called the Gen- 
eral's attention to the piece of land which he had for- 
gotten that he owned. The young man told of the 
dream. The General laughed outright and remarked: 
"You didn't dream Mount Vernon away from me, did 
you, sir?" The subject was then forgotten. The next 
morning as the young relative was leaving Washington 
placed a folded paper in his hand to be examined at his 
leisure. When he found the opportunity he discovered 



MOUNT VERNON 159 

it was a deed, made out after his uncle had retired for 
the night, conveying to him the property they had 
talked about, "for the consideration of natural affec- 
tion." 

As the boys and girls file by, none seizes the atten- 
tion with more amusement than Harriott, the incorri- 
gible daughter of much-married Samuel. She came to 
her uncle's house in 1785, and made her home there for 
seven years. Her uncle gives her portrait in a few 
phrases, indicating at the same time what a trial she 
must have been to one of his fine sense of order and 
economy: "Harriott has sense enough but no disposition 
to industry, nor to be careful of her cloathes. 
Direct her in their use and application of them, for with- 
out this they will be (I am told) dabbed about in every 
hole and corner, and her best things always in use." 
Then he adds with kindly justice: "But she is young 
and, with good advice, may yet make a fine woman." 
Surely there is apology for her in the inevitable neglect 
of a father who could scarcely have found time with his 
five wives to care properly for his five children. 

These were, however, only the intimate details in the 
domestic background after the war before which a new 
and other phase of Washington's home life stood boldly 
forth. 



CHAPTER XIII 

Burdens of Greatness — Secretaries in the Home — David Hum- 
phreys and William Smith — Anecdote of Old Bishop and His 
Daughter — Gideon Snow — William Shaw — Tobias I^ear — 
New Associations with Alexandria — Visitors' Descriptions 
of Life at Mount Vernon — Sitting for the Portrait Painters — 
Arrival of Iloudon — He Models the Bust — LaFayette's Visit 
— Gifts from Abroad — French Hounds — The Vaughan Man- 
tel — Mules from Malta — Asses from the King of Spain. 

RELIEF that it was to have sheathed his sword 
and retired to the quiet of his home, Washing- 
ton was no longer wholly free there and in the 
enjoyment of the privacy lie desired. He now belonged 
to the country, for although there was no actual 
national entity, the pride and national aspirations of 
all the independent slates in the confederation focussed 
(»n their recent military leader. Mount Vernon as the 
residence of such a figure typified the capital of the 
embryonic nation. 

The first token of this new order invaded his house- 
hold itself, the very privacy of his family. Henceforth, 
while Jie was there, the house was never without secre- 
taries and clerks whose assistance was made necessary 
by the increasing volume of public and private corre- 
spondence an<l accounts. With added work he had less 
lime, for a second evidence of the new order was the 
flow of visitors, no longer the casual neighbors riding 
in for dinner and a fox hunt, lnit dignitaries whose 

100 



MOUNT VERNON 161 

presence made demands, and amiable and often im- 
portant strangers who came with the homage of curi- 
osity. 

In altering his house Washington made storage space 
for his letters and papers in recesses built on each side of 
his library. Eventually these became inadequate and 
he felt the necessity of building a separate house for this 
purpose. The bases of the archives of Mount Vernon 
were of course the copies of all his personal, business, and 
agricultural letters which he kept scrupulously in his 
own hand, his journals, and his account-books. To 
these were added, at the close of the war, the transcripts 
made by Colonel Richard Varick of the entire mass of 
his correspondence, public and private, from the begin- 
ning to the end of the Revolution. They filled thirty- 
seven volumes. After his death they passed by pur- 
chase into the archives of the national government. 
This mass was soon increased, in addition to his enor- 
mous personal correspondence, by the requests which 
came from all sources for his assistance and counte- 
nance; for he was asked "to write endorsements and 
recommendations, stand sponsor to books on every 
topic, subscribe money to all manner of undertakings 
and loan it to the needy." 

The succeeding years brought to the Mount Vernon 
archives his vast correspondence on bounty lands in the 
West, on the development of waterways, on the organi- 
zation of a stable national government, and on other 
public matters of which there was no end. 

The first secretaries accompanied him home from 
the war. They were Colonels David Humphreys and 
William Smith. They remained long enough for 



162 MOUNT VERNON 

Colonel Smith to furnish an exploit which became one 
of the traditional stories of the estate. 

Humphreys, it seems, was of a poetic turn and 
dreamed away his leisure hours in communion with the 
lovely views which at Mount Vernon stretch in all 
directions. Smith spent his recreation in more sociable 
walks. On one occasion he came upon the house of 
the petted old autocrat, Bishop, Washington's former 
body-servant, whose daughter was returning from the 
milking with a brimming pail. Smith made some 
kindly offer of assistance which the frightened girl took 
for the flirtatious license of a kind with that of the 
wantonly reputed British officers. She dropped the 
pail and ran into the house. The young colonel fol- 
lowed, muttering apologies and explanations, when he 
came face to face with her father. The ancient Bishop 
seems to have been a spoiled favorite who allowed him- 
self all kinds of temper and temperament. He at once 
flew into a state of outraged wrath. The secretary's 
explanations did not make matters any better. "I 
know what you dashing young officers are," Bishop is 
said to have replied, folding his weeping daughter in his 
arms, feeling he was the hero of a sound dramatic situa- 
tion and intending to do his full duty by it. "I am an 
old soldier and have seen some things in my day. I am 
sure his honor, after my services, will not permit my 
child to be insulted; and, as to the Madam, why the 
Madam as good as brought up my girl." And so he 
brought the curtain down on the first scene, or at least 
says I he chronicle, "he retired into his house and closed 
the door." 

Smith suspected Bishop to be as good as his threat 



.M 


1 


_ 








V 


_ 






ij 




J. 


. "z 




MOUNT VERNON 163 

and sought cut Billy Lee, a no less important figure at 
Mount Ver on than Bishop himself. Billy seemed to 
sense a part for himself in this little drama, and first 
fed the colonel on the ruthlessness of Bishop and then 
offered himself as ambassador to plead with him. 

"Meantime," says the chronicler, who lived at 
Mount Vernon at the time and heard the story at first 
hand, "the old body-servant ransacked a large worm- 
eaten trunk, and brought forth a coat that had not seen 
the light for many long years (it was of the cut and 
fashion of the days of George II), then a vest, and 
lastly a hat, Cumberland cocked, with a huge ribbon 
cockade, that had seen service in the seven years' war. 
His shoes underwent a polish, and were covered by 
large silver buckles. All these accoutrements being 
carefully dusted and brushed, the veteran flourished his 
staff and took up his line of march for the mansion house. 

"Billy met the old soldier in full march, and a parley 
ensued. Billy harangued with great force upon the 
impropriety of the veteran's conduct in not receiving the 
colonel's apology; 'for,' continued the ambassador, 
'my friend Colonel Smith is both an officer and a gentle- 
man; and then, old man, you have no business to have 
such a handsome daughter (a grim smile passing over 
the veteran's countenance at this compliment to the 
beauty of his child), for you know young fellows will be 
young fellows.' . . . 

"The old body-servant, fully accoutred for his expedi- 
tion, had cooled off a little during his march ^ A sol- 
dierly respect for an officer of Colonel Smith's rank and 
standing, and a fear that he might carry the matter a 
little too far, determined him to accept the colonel's as- 



104 MOUNT VERNON 

surance that there could be no harm where 'no harm 
was intended,' came to a right-about and retraced his 
steps to his home. 

"The ambassador returned to the anxious colonel, 
and informed him that he had met the old fellow, en 
(j rand costume, and in full march for the mansion house, 
l)ii t that by a powerful display of eloquence he had 
brought him to a halt, and induced him to listen to 
reason, and drop the affair altogether. The ready 
guinea was quickly in the ambassador's pouch, while 
the gallant colonel, happy in his escape from what 
might have resulted in a very unpleasant affair, was 
careful to give the homestead of the old body-servant a 
good wide berth in all future rambles." 

The first tutor for the children was Gideon Snow, 
who probably first used the quaint little octagon house 
in the garden wall as a schoolroom. His duties were so 
light that Washington decided to combine the offices 
of tutpr and secretary, and he thus described the obliga- 
tions and privileges attaching to the position: "To write 
letters agreably to what shall be dictated. Do all other 
writing which shall be entrusted to him. Keep Accts. 
— examine, arrange, and properly methodize my Pa- 
pers, which are in great disorder. — Ride, at my expense, 
to such other States, if I should find it more convenient 
to send than to attend myself, to the execution thereof. 
And, .... to initiate two little children (a girl of 
six and a boy of 4 years of age, descendants of the de- 
ceased Mr. Custis, who live with me and are very prom- 
ising) in the firsl rudiments of education." To which 
he shortly added that the secretary "will sit at my 
table, will live as I live, will mix with the company who 



•**&&**£= 

>%** 










The School House 

!n the wall about the flower garden. The walk curves between beds of 
peonies and iris and is bordered with violets 



MOUNT VERNON 165 

resort to my house, and will be treated In every respect 
with civility and proper attention. He will have his 
washing done in the family, and may have his linen and 
stockings mended by the maids of it." 

William Shaw came to fulfil those demands in July, 
1785. He remained a year and seems to have had an 
easy time, for he hunted with the General, and went to 
the races, assemblies, and dances roundabout. 

His successor was Tobias Lear, a native of Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire, and a Harvard graduate of 
1783, who remained with Washington till the great man 
died. His second wife was Mrs. Washington's niece, the 
widow of George Augustine Washington. He lived at 
Wellington, an estate on the Virginia shore of the Poto- 
mac, about four miles north of Mount Vernon mansion, 
which Washington placed at his disposal, without charge, 
for his lifetime. After his chief's death Lear went into 
the consular service and died in Washington City, 
October 16, 1816. 

During the Presidency Washington's secretaries often 
accompanied him from the seat of government to Mount 
Vernon, and he referred to them as "members of my 
family." 

Though the hero was now merged in the planter, he 
found, as formerly, genuine satisfaction in the com- 
panionship of his friends. Nine years had made compar- 
atively few changes in the neighborhood. The Fairfaxes 
were gone, to be sure, and Belvoir was no more, but 
a link with that treasured association remained in the 
person of Bryan Fairfax, younger half-brother of Colonel 
George William Fairfax. Later he was rector of Christ 
Church, Alexandria. His home, Mount Eagle, was and 



166 MOUNT VERNON 

remains to-day on the heights across Great Hunting 
(reck From Alexandria. He was a picturesque figure, 
indeed, it' he came to Mount Vernon dressed as he was 
when he went to England, "in a full suit of purple," 
which abroad was supposed to be "the custom of the 
clergy in Virginia." 

The family now went to Christ Church much oftener 
than to Pohick. The latter church was practically 
abandoned. It suffered severely in the reaction against 
the established church, and all other things English, dur- 
ing the Revolution, and only at infrequent intervals 
were the doors open to itinerant preachers. Christ 
Church had been built about the same time as the 
second Pohick Church, and from the beginning Wash- 
ington had owned a pew there. The family and their 
guests drove up when the roads and the weather en- 
couraged a round trip drive of eighteen miles. But he 
never gave up his pew at Pohick, and went there occa- 
sionally when it was open. 

Another link between Mount Vernon and Alexandria 
was forged as early as 1784, when the General and Mrs. 
Washington drove up to attend the first of the Birth 
Night Balls. These were the predecessors of the later 
holiday, Washington's Birthday, and succeeded to the 
colonial custom of celebrating the sovereign's birthday. 

His exalted position now attracted a constant stream 
of visitors. Among them were his recent French and 
American companions in arms, and even English offi- 
cers; leaders of political thought from all over the 
country; a variety of strangers, curious, speculative, 
petitioning; and distinguished foreigners from many 
European countries. It is to some of these foreigners. 



MOUNT VERNON 167 

who afterward published the journals of their travels^ 
that the story of Mount Vernon owes many valuable 
sketches of the life there at this time. 

Among the first to come and write his impressions 
was John Hunter, merchant of London. He spent a 
day and a night there in 1785. In his diary is found: 

"Wednesday 16 th . of Nov 'r— When Colonel Fitz- 
gerald introduced me to the General I was struck with 
his noble and venerable appearance. . \ . The 
General is about six feet high, perfectly straight and 
well made; rather inclined to be lusty. His eyes are 
full and blue and seem to express an air of gravity. His 
nose inclines to the aquiline; his mouth small; his teeth 
are yet good and his cheeks indicate perfect health. 
His forehead is a noble one and he wears his hair turned 
back, without curls and quite in the officer's style, and 
tyed in a long queue behind. Altogether he makes a 
most noble, respectable appearance, and I really think 
him the first man in the world. After having had the 
management and care of the whole Continental army, 
he has now retired without receiving any pay for his 
trouble, and though solicited by the King of France 
and some of the first characters in the world to visit 
Europe, he has denied them all and knows how to pre- 
fer solid happiness in his retirement to all the luxuries 
and flattering speeches of European Courts. . . . 

"People come to see him here from all parts of the 
world — hardly a day passes without; but the General 
seldom makes his appearance before dinner; employing 
the morning to write his letters and superintend his 
farm, and allotting the afternoon to company; but even 



108 MOUNT VERNON 

then he generally retires for two hours between tea and 
supper to his study to write. 

"He is one of the most regular men in the world. 
When no particular Company is at his house, he goes to 
bed always at nine and gets up with the sun. It's 
astonishing the packets of letters that daily come for 
him, from all parts of the world, which employ him most 
of the morning to answer, and his Secretary Mr. Shaw 
. . . to copy and arrange. The General has all the 
accounts of the war yet to settle. Shaw tells me he 
keeps as regular Books as any Merchant whatever, and 
a daily Journal of all his transactions. 

"When I was first introduced to him he was neatly 
dressed in a plain blue coat, while cassimer waistcoat, 
and black breeches and Boots, as he came from his farm. 
After having sat with us some time lie retired and sent 
in his lady, a most agreeable woman about 50, and 
Major Washington his nephew, married about three 
weeks ago to a Miss Bessot. . . . After chatting 
with them for half an hour, the General came in again, 
with his hair neatly powdered, a clean shirt on, a new 
plain drab coat, white waistcoat and white silk stock- 
ings. At three, dinner was on table, and we were shewn 
by the General into another room, where everything 
was set off with a peculiar taste, and at the same time 
very neat and plain. The General sent the bottle about 
pretty freely after dinner, and gave success to the navi- 
gation of the Potomac for his toasts, which he has very 
much at heart. 

"After tea General Washington retired to his study 
and left us with the President, his lady and the rest of 
the Company. If he had not been anxious to hear tli 



MOUNT VERNON 169 

news of Congress from Mr. Lee, most probably he would 
not have returned to supper, but gone to bed at his usual 
hour, nine o'clock, for he seldom makes any ceremony. 
We had a very elegant supper about that time. The 
General with a few glasses of champagne got quite 
merry, and being with his intimate friends laughed and 
talked a good deal. Before strangers he is generally 
very reserved, and seldom says a word. . . . At 12 
I had the honor of being lighted up to my bedroom by 
the General himself. 

"Thursday 17th. November.— I rose early and took 
a walk about the General's grounds — which are really 
beautifully laid out. . . . Indeed his greatest pride 
now is, to be thought the first farmer in America. He is 
quite a Cincinnatus, and often works with his men him- 
self — strips off his coat and labors like a common man. 
. . . It's astonishing with what niceness he directs 
everything in the building way, condescending even to 
measure the things himself, that all may be perfectly 
uniform. The style of his house is very elegant, some- 
thing like the Prince de Conde's at Chantille, near Paris, 
only not quite so large. . . . The situation is a 
heavenly one, upon one of the finest rivers in the world. 
I suppose I saw thousands of ducks upon it, all within 
gun shot. There are also plenty of blackbirds and wild 
geese and turkies. 

"After breakfast I went with Shaw to see his famous 
race-horse Magnolia — a most beautiful creature. . . . 
He also showed me an elegant State Carriage, with 
beautiful emblematical figures on it, made him a pres- 
ent by the State of Pennsylvania. I afterwards went 
into his stables, where among an amazing number of 



170 MOUNT VERNON 

horses, I saw <>1<1 Nelson, now 22 years of age, that 
carried the General almost always during the war: 
Blueskin, another fine old horse next to him, now and 
then had that honor. . . . They have heard the 
roaring of many a cannon in their time. Blueskin was 
not the favorite, on account of his not standing fire so 
well as venerable old Nelson. . . . 

"When the General takes his coach out he always 
drives six horses; to his chariot he only puts four. . . . 
I fancy he is worth 100,000 Pounds sterling and lives at 
the rate of 3 or 4000 a year; . . . There is a fine 
family picture in the Drawing room of the Marquis de 
La Fayette, his lady and three children — another of the 
General with his marching orders, when he was Colonel 
Washington in the British Army against the French in 
the last war; and two of Mrs. Washington's children: 
her son was reckoned one of the handsomest men liv- 
ing, also a picture of Mrs. Washington when a young 
woman." 

Watson, formerly a merchant of Nantes, came one 
hitter January evening, suffering with a severe cough, 
which increased dining the night; when his door opened 
gently, the bed curtains were parted and there stood 
"Washington himself with a howl of hot tea in his 
hand." J. B. Brissot de Warville appeared in the 
course of his travels in North America and noted the 
simplicity in the house, and declared that Washington's 
"modesty is astonishing to a Frenchman; he speaks of 
the American war, and of his victories, as of things in 
which he had no direct ion." 

Koherl Edge Pine, "a pretty eminent Portrait & His- 



MOUNT VERNON 171 

torical-Painter," spent three March weeks at Mount 
Vernon in 1785 to make studies of Washington for his- 
torical canvases. These were never painted, but he did 
portraits of the General and the Custis children. It 
was while Pine was at Mount Vernon that Washington 
wrote : 

" In for a penny, in for a pound, is an old adage. I 
am so hackneyed to the touches of the painter's pencil, 
that I am now altogether at their beck; and sit, 'like 
Patience on a monument,' while they are delineating the 
lines of my face. It is a proof, among many others, of 
what habit and custom can accomplish. At first I was 
as impatient at the request, and as restive under the 
operation, as a colt is of the saddle. The next time I 
submitted very reluctantly, but with less flouncing. 
Now, no dray-horse moves more readily to his thill than 
I to the painter's chair." 

The imagination responds readily to the suggestion of 
astonishment and confusion produced by the event 
noted as of Sunday the 2d of October following: 

"Went with Fanny Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Doct r 
Stuart, G. A. Washington, M r Shaw & Nelly Custis to 
Pohick Church; to hear a M r Thompson preach, who 
returned home with us to Dinner, where I found the 
Rev. M r Jones, formerly a Chaplin in one of the Pennsyl- 
rania Regiments. — After we were in Bed (about Eleven 
oclock in the Evening) M r Houdon, sent from Paris 
by Doct r Franklin and M r Jefferson to take My Bust, 
in behalf of the State of Virginia, with three young men 
assistants, introduced by a M r Perin a French Gentle- 



17 > MOUNT VERNON 

man of Alexandria arrived here by water from the latter 
place." 

During nearly three weeks spent at Mount Vernon, 
Iloudon made a life mask and modelled a bust which has 
remained in the mansion ever since. With this life 
mask and measurements of the person of the General, 
and memoranda concerning his dress, he returned to 
Paris. There Gouverneur Morris posed for the figure 
and Houdon modelled the head from the mask and 
memory, and thus completed the exquisite statue in 
marble which stands m the rotunda of the Capitol at Rich- 
mond. The clay bust at Mount Vernon remains unique 
as the only bust of Washington made from life. 

So the procession filed on. It included among others 
Charles Vallo, who contributed to the descriptive litera- 
ture of the place; Chevalier de la Luzerne, who found 
nothing to recall "the important part he [Washington] 
has played except the great number of foreigners who 
come to see him"; two English visitors perpetuated in 
the significant entry in the diary, "Mrs. Maeauley 
Graham and Mr. Graham"; the French Minister, the 
Comte de Moustier, and his sister the "Marquise de 
Brehan," and, though Washington did not appreciate 
Madame's penchant for fondling negro babies, he ad- 
mired a miniature profile of him which she painted; 
Jno. Fitch with "a draft «\ model of a machine for 
promoting navigation, by means of steam," and Robert 
Fulton, then only twenty years of age; Xoah Webster, 
on a copyright errand, not yet busy with his dictionary; 
Captain Littlepage, of Virginia, who had been "Aid de 
Camp to the Duke de Crillen was at the Seiges of Fort 



MOUNT VERNON 173 

St. Phillip (on the Island of Minorca) and Gibralter; and 
is an extraordinary Character"; Andre Michaux, sent 
by the French Government to establish in America 
nurseries of plants to be naturalized in France; "a 
Gentleman calling himself the Count de Cheiza D'art- 
eignan officer of the French Guards" presented himself 
for dinner and spent the night, "bringing no letters of 
introduction, nor any authentic testimonials for his being 
either; I was at a loss how to receive or treat him — "; 
Parson Weems, meditating the hatchet story for his life 
of Washington, which was to be more widely known and 
read than any other; and Jedediah Morse, author of the 
first American geography. "My house," wrote Wash- 
ington at about this time, "may be compared to a well 
resorted tavern." 

With uniform hospitality for all who came under his 
roof, there was, however, no one else who received a wel- 
come equal to that of General the Marquis de LaFay- 
ette, "the French boy," as Mrs. Washington called him, 
who made two visits to Mount Vernon on his return to 
America in 1784. He came first in August for twelve 
days and returned in November for a week. Washing- 
ton's attachment for LaFayette was one of the unique 
affections of his life. On the occasion of his second visit 
Washington travelled all the way to Richmond to meet 
him and accompany him to Mount Vernon. And when 
the precious seven days had passed he was so loath to 
give up his friend that he journeyed on with him to 
Annapolis. Washington returned home and dis- 
patched thence these lines of farewell which are more 
nearly sentimental than any others of his which are 
preserved : 



L74 MOUNT VERNON 

"In the moment of our separation, upon the road as I 
travelled, and every hour since, I have felt all that love, 
respect and attachment for you, with which length of 
years, close connection, and your merits have inspired 
me. I often asked myself, as our carriages separated, 
whether thai was the last sighl I ever should have of 
you? And though I wished to answer No, my fears an- 
swered Yes. I called lo mind the days of my youth, 
and found they had long since fled to return no more; 
thai I was now decending the hill I had been fifty two 
years in climbing, and that, though I was Messed with a 
good constitution, I was of a short lived family, and 
might soon expect to be entombed in the mansion of my 
fathers. These thoughts darkened the shade's, and gave 
a gloom to tin 1 picture, and consequently, to my pros- 
peel of ever seeing you again." 

His premonition was correct. They did not see each 
oilier again. LaFayette, however, came to Mount 
Vernon forty years later lo pay homage at the tomb of 
his chief and friend. 

Washington was also reminded of the enlarged sphere 
of his fame by the numerous and sometimes extraordi- 
nary gifts which now reached Mount Vernon. Most 
interesting of these were the Italian mantel, the French 
hunting hounds, and the Maltese and Spanish asses. 

The mantel, which at once found an ideal position in 
the 1 banquet room, opposite the large ornamental win- 
dow, came in February, 1785, from Samuel Vaughan, 
of London. lie was ;i stranger to Washington but had a 
passionate admiration for his character and achieve- 
ments. The mantel is of "white and Sienite marbles." 



MOUNT VERNON 175 

Its most striking feature, aside from its simplicity and 
symmetry, are the three panels, sculptured in high relief, 
celebrating agricultural life. It has never been removed 
from its original position and, with the white marble 
hearth, the grate, clock, vases, candlesticks, and flank- 
ing pedestals, it forms the one complete original group 
assembled in the mansion to-day exactly as in the life- 
time of its owner. 

The hounds were sent by LaFayette on his return to 
France after his visit to Mount Vernon. They were in 
favor until one day the family sat down to dinner to dis- 
cover that Vulcan had stolen the ham about which the 
meal was to have been assembled. They were a na- 
tively fierce pack and Mrs. Washington is suspected of 
having used the stolen ham as an excuse to get rid of 
them. At any rate the French hounds soon followed the 
ham. Washington's adopted son says apropos of this 
that the General gave up hunting in 1785, but he did 
in fact hunt until 1788. Then for eight years his ab- 
sence at the seat of government kept him away from 
Mount Vernon during the hunting season. When he 
returned in 1797 he was somewhat advanced in years 
for the vigorous sport he had followed until his fifty- 
sixth year. 

There were few and only inferior mules in America 
at this time and Washington desired to improve the 
breed. This became known abroad, and in 1788 he re- 
ceived from LaFayette a jack called Knight of Malta 
and two Maltese she asses; also a jack called Royal 
Gift and two jennies from the King of Spain. "From 
these altogether," he said, "I hope to secure a race of 
extraordinary goodness, which will stock the country." 



176 MOUNT VERNON 

The presents did not all move in one direction by any 
means. In 1785 Washington was making an effort to 
gel seeds in "Kentucke" for the French King's Gar- 
dens at Versailles, and three years later he was hunting a 
healthy family of opossums to send an English friend, 
Sir Edward Newenham. 

Such were some of the conspicuous details at Mount 
Vernon of the early days of Washington's military fame. 
If it robbed the home of some of its privacy, there were 
compensations. It has been said Mount Vernon typi- 
fied the capital of the embryonic nation. There now 
centred the ideas, the discussions, and the initiative 
which finally prevailed in giving birth to the nation. 



CHAPTER XIV 

Mount Vernon the Cradle of Constitutional Agitation — Union 
of States First Effected at Mount Vernon Conference — Off 
to the Constitutional Convention — Washington's Passion for 
the Constitution — Virginia in a Turmoil — Ratification — 
Dreading the Interruption of His Home Life — Elected First 
President of the United States — The Formal Notification at 
Mount Vernon — Breaking Home Ties — End of His Furlough 
— Departure for the Inauguration. 

IT HAS been said that Washington left Mount Ver- 
non a distinguished Virginian and returned after 
the war one of the most famous men in the world. 
More significant is Henry Cabot Lodge's other remark 
that Washington passed at a single step from being a 
Virginian to being an American. 

In the midst of his domestic, social, and agricultural 
activities by the Potomac his mind dwelt continually 
on the conditions which his military success had im- 
posed on the disunited states. His vision revealed to 
him the ruin ahead under the Articles of Confederation 
and the opportunity and salvation which lay only in a 
nation united with a firm, centralized government. 

He realized the truth of the British taunt that if the 
now independent states were left to themselves they 
would soon dissolve. And so, while he wrote LaFayette 
and Knox and others of his complete retirement, his in- 
tention to confine his activities to the cultivation of the 
friendship of good men and to the practise of the do- 
mestic virtues, the enigma of his country's future was 

177 



178 MOUNT VERNON 

never wholly out of his mind. To his perception he 
added a patriotism which embraced all the states, and 
at Mount Vernon was conceived and developed, urged, 
and in a measure consummated, the idea of union and 
of the means to national strength and life. 

In the library were written the constant stream of 
letters which carried the constitutional idea into every 
other state. During hours and days of consultation 
and discussion with thoughtful leaders, in walks be- 
neath the trees, seated about his hospitable board, or 
during long sessions under the canopy of his riverside 
piazza, he argued and persuaded for the firm union of 
the states. 

The common enemy had drawn the colonies together 
during the war, but once peace was declared the units 
flew asunder. Jealousy displaced fraternal confidence. 
The states discredited each other's currency. They 
set up import taxes against each other. Under these 
menacing conditions the representatives of Maryland 
and Virginia met at Mount Vernon in March, 1785, to 
devise some means of securing uniform action between 
the two states on the problem of the commerce and 
fishing of the Chesapeake and the Potomac. It was 
then and there decided that the two states should adopt 
uniform laws on imports, currency, and commercial 
regulations; that a naval force should be maintained at 
the expense <>)' both states and for the protection of 
both; that the commissioners should propose to their 
respective slate governments the establishment of 
conjoint laws under the assent of Congress. Here ap- 
pear* d the first evidence of union. It was the union of 
only two states, Virginia and Maryland, but it was 



MOUNT VERNON 179 

union, and it submitted itself to the Congress of all the 
states. Mount Vernon was the scene of this first step 
toward national union. 

The following January, 1786, Virginia joined Mary- 
land in a proposal that every state should send dele- 
gates to a convention at Annapolis in September, to 
regulate the commerce of all the states. From the 
x\nnapolis convention emanated the call for the conven- 
tion to be held in Philadelphia, in the spring of 1787, to 
frame a constitution for the union of all the states. 

Washington was unanimously elected to head Vir- 
ginia's delegation. He pleaded his retirement, rheu- 
matism, and other reasons for declining to serve. But 
when there was question of his republicanism he 
brushed all considerations aside, began an exhaustive 
study of constitutional governments, of which he left 
lengthy autograph evidence in his library, and on Wed- 
nesday, May 9, 1787, "crossed from Mount Vernon to 
Mr. Digges a little after sunrise," and was one of the 
first delegates to reach Philadelphia. He was made the 
president of the Constitutional Convention, remained 
in the city throughout the fatiguing summer, and 
reached home September 22d, after an absence of four 
months and fourteen days. 

He at once dispatched riders from Mount Vernon 
with copies of the Constitution to Thomas Nelson, 
Benjamin Harrison, and Patrick Henry, former gover- 
nors of Virginia, and to other prominent men, stating 
his wish that it had been more perfect and his belief 
that it was the best that could be obtained at the time, 
and urging their support. A storm of discussion broke 
over the state. Among those arrayed against the Con- 



180 MOUNT VERNON 

stitution were Patrick Henry, Benjamin Harrison, 
( reorge Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and James Monroe. 
Among I hose in its defense were James Madison, John 
Marshall, Edmund Pendleton, and General Henry Lee 
("Light Horse Harry"). 

Washington remained at home and somewhat in the 
background of the "passionate agitation." But he 
stood committed to the Constitution as drawn, with a 
door open tor subsequent amendments, and gave it the 
full force of his support. A visitor to Mount Vernon 
shortly after his return from Philadelphia wrote Thomas 
Jefferson in November: 

"I stayed two days with General AYashington at 
Mount Vernon about six weeks ago. ... I never 
saw him so keen for anything in my life as he is for the 
adoption of tin- new scheme of government. As the 
eyes of .ill America are turned towards this truly great 
and good man for the first President, I took the liberty 
of sounding him upon it. He appears to be earnestly 
against going into public lite again; pleads in excuse for 
himself his love of retirement and his advanced age, but 
notwithstanding of these, I am fully of opinion that he 
may be induced to appear once more on the public 

.stage of life." 

lie subscribed for ;i number of copies of the Federalist, 
in which Madison, Jay, and Hamilton defended the 
Constitution. One set he had hound and placed in his 

library. The others he sent broadcast on their propa- 
ganda. Another and more unique addition to Mount 
Vernon at this time was the good ship Federalist, a pres- 
ent to Washington from the merchants and shipowners 




— U 



MOUNT VERNON 181 

of Baltimore. That city celebrated the adoption of the 
Constitution by Maryland with a procession in which a 
conspicuous feature was a full-rigged ship, named the 
Federalist, fifteen feet long, mounted on wheels and 
drawn by four horses. After the celebration it was 
launched in the Chesapeake and navigated down the 
bay by Captain Barney and up the Potomac to Mount 
Vernon wharf. It remained there an amusing curiosity 
for nearly two months, when it was torn from its moor- 
ings by a high wind and was sunk. 

The bitter fight for the Constitution in Virginia was 
waged for nearly a year. During that time Washing- 
ton was more active than ever with his correspondence. 
He saw an increasing number of people and spent him- 
self in persuasion. It was his conviction that the alter- 
native to the adoption of the Constitution was the total 
dissolution of the uniting states. Without his influence 
Virginia would not have ratified, and it is probable that 
without Virginia the great experiment would not have 
succeeded. Hence it was with relief and exultation 
that news came telling of Virginia's ratification on June 
25th. Three days later the citizens of Alexandria pre- 
pared a public dinner as part of the celebration of the 
event, which the General, Colonel Humphreys, and 
George Augustine Washington attended from Mount 
Vernon. Returning home, he noted with neighborly 
pride, in a letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney: 
"Thus the citizens of Alexandria, when convened, con- 
stituted the first public company in America, which had 
the pleasure of pouring [a] libation to the prosperity of 
the ten States that had actually adopted the general 
government." 



18-2 MOUNT VERNON 

When Congress received the testimonials of ratifica- 
tion it appointed a day for the choice of electors of a 
President, who, being chosen, unanimously elected 
George Washington first President of the United States. 
So little was this unexpected that from the time of the 
General's return home from the Constitutional Con- 
vention requests poured in upon him to accept the office. 
It was the fixed idea that Washington should be the 
first executive of the new nation not only in every mind 
in America at all times, but Europe likewise accepted 
his choice as inevitable. In answer to LaFayette's 
letter on this subject, the General wrote him: 

"Knowing me as you do, I need only say, that it 
has no enticing charms and no facinating allurements for 
me. However, it might not be decent for me to say I 
would refuse to accept, or even to speak much about an 
appointment, which may never take place; for, in so 
doing, one might possibly incur the application of the 
moral resulting from that fable, in which the fox is 
represented as inveighing against the sourness of the 
grapes, because he could not reach them. All that it 
will be necessary to add, my dear Marquis, in order 
to show my decided predehctions is, that, (at my time 
of life and under my circumstances,) the increasing 
infirmaties of nature and the growing love of retirement 
do not permit me to entertain a wish beyond that of 
living and dying an honest man on my own farm." 

Later, a-- the time drew near for the counting of the 
electoral votes, there was some delay, and Washington 
wrote Henry Knox: 



MOUNT VERNON 183 

"For myself the delay may be compared to a reprieve; 
for in confidence I tell you, (with the world it would 
obtain little credit,) that my movements to the chair of 
government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike 
those of a culprit, who is going to the place of his execu- 
tion; so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly 
consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for 
an ocean of difficulties, without that competency of 
political skill, abilities, and inclination, which are nec- 
essary to manage the helm." 

Mrs. Washington shared their regret to tear away 
again from the peace and retirement of their riverside 
home. "I little thought when the war was finished 
that any circumstances could possibly happen which 
would call the general into public life again," she wrote 
a friend. "I had anticipated that from that moment 
we should be suffered to grow old together, in solitude 
and tranquility. . . . When I was much younger 
I should probably have enjoyed the innocent gayeties of 
life as much as most persons of my age; but I had long 
since placed all the prospects of my future worldly 
happiness in the still enjoyments of the fireside at Mount 
Vernon." 

A notable scene was acted at Mount Vernon on the 
14th of April, this year of 1789. Shortly after noon 
there arrived from New York the Secretary of Congress, 
Mr. Charles Thompson, who had been appointed to 
notify Washington of his election to the office of Presi- 
dent. He was an old friend of the General's and had 
been Secretary of Congress for nearly fifteen years. 
He delivered the certificate of election and added a few 



184 .MOUNT VERNON 

words of personal address. Washington's reply is pre- 
served. Ho said: 

"I am so much affected by this fresh proof of my 
country's esteem and confidence that silence can best 
express my gratitude. AYhile I realize the arduous 
nature of the task which is imposed upon me and feel 
my own inability to perform it, I wish that there may 
not be reason for regretting the choice; for indeed all I 
can promise is to accomplish that which can be done 
by an honest zeal. Upon considering how long time 
some of the Gentlemen of both Houses of Congress have 
been at New York, how anxiously desirous they must 
be to proceed to business, and how deeply the public 
mind appears to be impressed with the necessity of doing 
it speedily, I cannot find myself at liberty to delay my 
journey. I shall therefore be in readiness to set out the 
day after tomorrow; and shall be happy in the pleasure 
of your company; for you will permit me to say thai it 
is a peculiar gratification to have received this communi- 
cation from you." 

In anticipation of an early departure he had paid a 
visit of farewell to his mother at Fredericksburg, when 
he then saw her for the last time, and in Alexandria 
borrowed five hundred pounds to discharge his personal 
debts and another one hundred pounds to defray his 
expenses to the scat of government at New York City, 
lb- set out on his journey Thursday morning, April 
Kith. "About ten o'clock," he wrote in his diary, 
" I l>adr adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to 
domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more 



MOUNT VERNON 185 

anxious and painful sensations than I have words to 
express, set out for New York in company with M r 
Thomson and Col° Humphreys, with the best disposi- 
tion to render service to my country in obedience to its 
calls, but with less hope of answering its expectations." 
When he reached the West Lodge gates he found a 
mounted escort of neighbors and friends from Alexan- 
dria, who accompanied him up to town. They said 
their mutual farewells at a dinner in his honor, when, 
suggestive of the number of units of the union, the 
toasts were thirteen. "Farewell," said the mayor on 
behalf of his fellow-townsmen: "Go and make a 
grateful people happy — a people who will be doubly 
grateful when they contemplate the recent sacrifice for 
their interests." Washington's emotions could with 
difficulty be concealed. "Unutterable sensations," 
said he, in closing his reply, "must then be left to more 
expressive silence, while from an aching heart I bid you 
all, my affectionate friends and kind neighbors, fare- 
well."' 



CHAPTER XV 

Mount Vernon During the Presidency — Visits Home — Arrival of 
the Key of the Bastille — Mode of Travel — The Hard Riding 
Aide and the General's Anger — Directions for Hospitality al 
Mount Vernon in His Absence — Managers of the Estate: 
George Augustine Washington, Anthony Whiting, Howell 
Lewis, William Pearce, and James Anderson — Keeping in 
Touch with His Estate When Absent — New Barns — Mrs. 
Washington Homesick in Philadelphia — The General's Love 
for His Home — Retires from Public Life — Returns to Mount 
Vernon. 

THE six years' respite from official life at Mount 
Vernon after the war Washington called his 
"furlough." During the next eight years his 
home saw him only by glimpses.* He found opportuni- 
ties during his two terms as President to journey fifteen 
times to Mount Vernon, an average of about twice a 
year. These visits were always made between the first 
of April and the first of November. Once only he re- 
mained later by three weeks. Winter was the period 
of the sittings of Congress, and the season when the 
roads were less passable and when the city offered the 
greater comfort, which accounts for his presence at the 
seat of government during the colder months. 

His stays on the Potomac were generally brief. 
Five times lie remained only from seven to twelve days. 
Once he remained a part of four months. The other 
visits covered four to eight weeks. To be exact, of the 

*5ce Appendii B. 

18C 



MOUNT VERNON 187 

eight years of the Presidency he allowed himself in all 
less than fifteen months at his home. 

His first absence was his longest. He did not come 
back to Mount Vernon until a year and a half after his 
inauguration, September, 1790. On this trip he proba- 
bly brought with him the main key of the Bastille and 
the drawing of the fortress which LaFayette sent him 
"as a missionary of Liberty to its patriarch." The key 
hung in a glass cabinet on the south wall of the main hall 
and it has not left Mount Vernon since. The Bust of 
Necker, French Revolutionary Minister of Finance, also 
came at this time, and for many years after occupied a 
position in the library. Mrs. Washington and her 
grandchildren, Nellie and George Washington Parke 
Custis, did not accompany the General to the inaugura- 
tion, but they soon followed, and spent the period of his 
Presidency in New York with him. In the fall of 1790 
Philadelphia succeeded New York as the seat of gov- 
ernment, and thither Washington returned at the end 
of November. 

He was at home three periods in 1791: the first for 
three days early in April, "visiting my Plantations every 
day," on his way to make the grand tour of the South; 
the second to rest for a fortnight on his way north in 
June, and the third for three weeks in September and 
October. 

The next year he came twice: for nine days in May, 
and in July for the longest vacation he spent at his home 
while President, when he was so far disposed not to 
accept a second term that he wrote Madison asking his 
suggestions about a farewell address. A unique souve- 
nir of this summer on the Potomac survives to-day 



188 MOUNT VERNON 

scratched in one of the panes of glass in the sleeping- 
room known as the Green Room. The frail but pre- 
cious window pane is heavily reinforced with putty, 
for it bears the autograph of Eliza P. Custis, and the 
date of its etching, August 2, 179 c 2. 

After the ceremonies of his second inauguration, in 
1793, the President rode away as soon as he could for a 
spring visit to Mount Vernon, but the outbreak of the 
war between France and England drew him back to 
Philadelphia after a rest of less than three weeks. The 
death of the manager of his estate made it necessary for 
him to return southward early in the summer. He re- 
mained nine days and was the guest of honor of his 
friends and neighbors at Alexandria at a Fourth of July 
celebration, when "mighty twelve pounders" thundered 
salutes and a company of one hundred and ten "sat 
down to an elegant dinner in Mr. Wise's long room." 
His real vacation came in September and October, love- 
liest time of the year in Fairfax. It was an unexpected 
and unwilling flight from Philadelphia, but the yellow 
fever had broken out in the city, and every one who 
could deserted it. Although Washington expressed a 
wish to remain in the north longer than the 10th of 
September, it is difficult to see how that could have been 
possible in view of an important engagement for the 
1 Slh of that month in Washington City. On that day 
he came up from Mount Vernon to "The Federal City," 
as he was accustomed to call it, and assisted at the 
laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol of the United 

St ;t Ics. 

I laving accepted a second term in the chair of govern- 
ment, Washington at this time began to think of re- 



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t5 £2^T°.S-<^*>J*. 



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Sot? 2**y^jfiZZ ^Lj^k^ ^_^x^-> 









'€y 



Facsimile of the Original Autograph 

Draft of a letter dated December 12, 1793, from George Washington to Arthur Young. 
The last paragraph above contains the beginning of Washington's description of 
Mount Vernon, quoted page vii. From the original draft in the Library of ( Congress 



MOUNT VERNON 189 

ducing his responsibilities as a planter by renting all his 
land except the farm on which the mansion house stood. 
It was the passing whim of a tired man. His farms 
were the great plaything of his life. Nothing came of it 
except an advertisement in a local paper and an elabo- 
rate letter to his English friend, Arthur Young, in which 
is preserved a detailed account of the physical features of 
his lands and their improvements and stock. 

Twelve days in June and July were the sum of the next 
year's time spent at Mount Vernon. In 1795 he came 
for seven days in April, in July for seventeen, and on 
September thirteen for a full month lacking only a day. 
It was on the last visit that he found two old friends of 
the Mount Vernon household married and at home in 
Alexandria. They were his secretary, Tobias Lear, and 
Frances Bassett Washington, widow of George Augus- 
tine Washington. Her husband and Lear's wife both 
died in 1793. The young widow and the widower were 
married in August, 1795, and in September the President 
and Mrs. Washington drove up to Alexandria and dined 
with them. This was the first time in over thirty years 
that the master and mistress of Mount Vernon had 
driven through its gates and missed the welcome of 
ancient Bishop. He died in his cottage on the mansion 
house farm, in his eightieth year, in January, 1795, 
mourned by the master he had served as long as 
strength permitted and by whose bounty he enjoyed a 
green old age of ease and plenty. 

Every morning saw the President on horseback, riding 
over his farms. The house was never free of company 
and usually the guests packed it. He often entertained 
the foreign ministers, the members of his cabinet, and 



100 MOUNT VERNON 

other high governmental officials, ranking veterans of 
the army, and natives and foreigners of various dis- 
tinctions. Time for work on his letters and papers was 
made possible only by his custom of rising hours before 
others of the household and closeting himself in the 
library. 

During the final year of the Presidency Washington 
was at home for nearly two months, from June 20th to 
August 17th, and returned in September to take Mrs. 
Washington and the children back to Philadelphia for 
the winter. On the latter occasion he remained thirty- 
three days. Much of his time while at home this sum- 
mer was spent in his library over his Farewell Address. 
He had by him Alexander Hamilton's extensive sug- 
gestions, and to him he wrote after some work on it: 
k All the columns, of a large gazette would scarcely, I be- 
lieve, contain the present draught." 

He left Mount Vernon for Philadelphia for the last 
period of his term in office at the end of October, 1790. 
He arrived at the seat of government on the last day 
of the month. In general the trip between Mount 
Vernon and Philadelphia, with fair roads and no delays, 
occupied four or five days. When his horses were fat or 
"out of exercise" he allowed for an extra day of rest on 
the route somewhere. If the trip w r ere made without 
Mrs. Washington or her grandchildren he generally 
pushed forward with secretary and servants and five 
horses, or at most with the light coachee and outriders. 
But with his family he travelled with chariot and four or 
six horses, coachman and postilions, secretaries on 
horseback, a light baggage wagon, perhaps a two-horse 
phaeton, and from six to twelve servants. There were 



MOUNT VERNON 191 

often as many as sixteen horses in the train. The heavy 
luggage was usually sent from Philadelphia to Mount 
Vernon by vessel. Washington rode in the coach only a 
fraction of the time, often mounting a horse and resting 
himself with a ride by the side of Mrs. Washington's 
chariot. 

One of the rare scenes reported of these journeys con- 
firms the belief that behind Washington's placid mask 
he had a very human nature capable of being stirred to 
high anger and, moreover, it glimpses his concern for his 
horses. 

"I never saw him angry but once in my life," said a 
relative of the General's whom a writer in the Demo- 
cratic Review for March, 1843, merely styles "Captain 
L"; "and this was considered so remarkable . . . 
we looked upon it as quite an anomaly in the General's 
life. It happened while he was President and travelling 
in his carriage, with a small retinue of outriders, from 
Mount Vernon to Philadelphia. It was during the first 
day of our journey, and we were passing through the 
barrens of Maryland, where, at intervals of a few miles, 
the solitude of the road was relieved at that time by a set 
of low taverns or groggeries, at which we did not think 
of stopping. But we had a thoughtless young man in 
our train, who by favour had been admitted into the 
family as a sort of gentleman attendant, and who 
seemed much more inclined to patronize these places. 
The General, at his request, had permitted him to ride a 
favorite young mare which he had raised on his planta- 
tion, and of which he was exceedingly careful, the ani- 
mal being almost as slight as a roebuck and very high 
spirited. But the young fellow, notwithstanding the 



192 MOUNT VERNON 

intimations he had received at starting to deal gently 
with her, appeared bent on testing her speed and other 
qualities, and that too in a manner little likely to meet 
with favour in a man of Washington's high sense of 
propriety. IK" would leave the train, and riding up to 
one of the liquoring establishments, there remain until 
we were out of sight; when he would come up upon the 
run, ride with us awhile, and gallop on forward to the 
next. This he repeated three times, the last of which 
brought the mettlesome creature to a foam and evi- 
dently much fretted her. At the first transgression 
thus commit led against the General's orders respecting 
the mare, as well as against his known sense of pro- 
priety, he seemed surprised, looking as if he wondered at 
the young man's temerity, and contented himself with 
throwing after the young man a glance of displeasure. 
At the second he appeared highly incensed although he 
said nothing, and repressed his indignation, acting as if 
he thought this must be the last offense, for the punish- 
ment of which he chose a private occasion. But as the 
offender rode up the third time, Washington hastily 
threw open the carriage window, and asking the driver 
to halt, sharply ordered the former alongside; when with 
uplifted cane, and a tone and emphasis which startled 
us all, and made the culprit shrink and tremble like a 
leaf, he exclaimed, 'Look you, sir! Your conduct is in- 
sufferable! Fall in behind there, sir; and as sure as you 
leave us again, I will break every bone in your skin!'" 
In the absence of the family Mount Vernon was fre- 
quented by travellers eager to see the home of the re- 
nowned Washington, and he maintained a generous hos- 
pitality for ail who presented themselves. It was taken 




o 



MOUNT VERNON 193 

advantage of, however, not merely by the guests but by 
the servants, and the President felt obliged to write his 
manager defining the treatment he wished the visitors to 
receive : 

"Speaking of Gentlemens Serv ts it calls to my mind, 
that in a letter from Mrs. Fanny Washington to Mrs. 
Washington (her Aunt) she mentions, that since I left 
Mount Vernon she has given out four doz n and eight 
bottles of wine. — Whether they are used, or not, she does 
not say; — but I am led by it to observe, that it is not my 
intention that it should be given to every one who may 
incline to to make a convenience of the house, in travel- 
ing; or who may be induced to visit it from motives of 
curiosity. — There are but three descriptions of people to 
whom I think it ought to be given: — first, my particular 
and intimate acquaintances, in case business should call 
them there, such for instance as Doct r Craik. — 2 d 'y 
some of the most respectable foreigners who may, per- 
chance, be in Alexandria or the federal city; and be 
either brought down, or introduced by letter, from some 
of my particular acquaintances as before mentioned; — 
or, thirdly, to persons of some distinction (such as mem- 
bers of Congress &c l ) who may be traveling through the 
Country from North to South , or from South to North ; 
— to the first of which, I should not fail to give letters, 
where I conceive them entitled. — Unless some caution 
of this sort governs, I should be run to an expence as im- 
proper, as it would be considerable. ... I have no 
objection to any sober, or orderly person's gratifying 
their curiosity in viewing the buildings, Gardens &c l 
about Mount Vernon ; — but it is only to such persons as 



194 MOUNT VERNON 

T have described, that I ought to be run to any expence 
on account of these visits of curiosity, beyond common 
civility and hospitality." 

The above directions were sent his manager, William 
Pearce. 

During the first sixteen years of his married life, 
which he spent at home, Washington managed the 
estate himself with overseers on each of the farms. At 
the outbreak of the Revolution he engaged a distant rela- 
tive, Lund Washington, as manager, and left the charge 
of Mount Vernon in his hands for ten years. At the end 
of this term the General had then been at home two 
years and recovered his grasp on the place. His 
nephew, George Augustine Washington, was at Mount 
Vernon at this time, and to the affections of his uncle he 
added his confidence to such a degree that when called 
to the Presidency Washington placed the estate under 
the management of this nephew. The young man 
seems not to have been without ability, but his health 
failed him and in the winter of 1791-2 he was succeeded 
by Anthony Whiting, a man who, it w r as reported to 
Washington, "drank freely — kept bad company at my 
house and in Alexandria — and was a very debauched 
person." His habits probably hastened the relief his 
employer had of him for he died in July, 1793. Wash- 
ington's nephew, Betty's son, Howell Lewis, took 
charge during the few months pending the arrival of 
William Pearce, in December. There may be a hint to 
the curious in Washington's remark when he heard that 
Howell's brother Lawrence was available at the time of 
the former's engagement: "But after all is not Law- 



MOUNT VERNON 195 

rence Lewis on the point of matrimony? Report says 
so, and if truly, it would be an effectual bar to a per- 
manent establishment in my business, as I never again 
will have two women in my house when I am there my- 
self." 

Pearce's stewardship covered three full years. He 
was succeeded by James Anderson in the last year the 
President was absent in Philadelphia. Both these men 
gave their chief great satisfaction. Anderson was man- 
ager during the remaining years of Washington's life and 
to him was addressed the last letter the great man wrote. 

During the first five years of the General and Mrs. 
Washington's absence at the seat of government the 
mansion was under the personal control of Fanny Wash- 
ington. Both her uncle and aunt were very fond of 
her and Mrs. Washington was constantly sending her 
presents. In forwarding a newly imported watch on 
one occasion, her Aunt Martha closed the letter with 
this remembrance of her little girl: "Kiss Marie I send 
her two little handkerchiefs to wipe her nose. Adue." 

Mount Vernon never lost the direct influence of its 
master even during his long absences. He exacted a 
weekly report from his manager by the post leaving 
Alexandria each Thursday, and he, on his part, wrote 
every week, usually devoting Sunday afternoon to the 
preparation of the long letters which covered two or 
three and even four large, closely written pages. Such 
was the importance which he attached to these letters 
that he first made a rough draft of them, then copied 
them out in full in his own handwriting, and finally 
preserved a letter-press copy. They directed the plant- 
ing, cultivating, and harvesting of crops; building and 



196 MOUNT VERNON 

repairs; the engaging, discharge, discipline, and comfort 
of his servants and slaves; all with the same intimate 
acquaintance he might have shown in his library in a 
talk with his manager after a morning ride of inspection 
over his farms. 

He referred to the hundreds of slaves by name, and 
knew each of their children's; he knew exactly where 
windows and doors were to be placed and their dimen- 
sions; what was boarded and what was free; what car- 
pel iters were available and best suited to the various 
jobs; what money he owed and what money was owed 
him; the condition of his growing crops, the potentiality 
of each field, the stage of the foaled mares; and seem- 
ingly every other imaginable detail. 

That an absent proprietor with no other concerns 
should exhibit such a grasp would be remarkable; that it 
was the concurrent if not the secondary interest at first 
of a general conducting a great war and later of a presi- 
dent organizing an infant nation, excites a truly natural 
wonder. 

One of the new and important works put under way 
during the early years of the Presidency was the circu- 
lar or sixteen-sided barn, of his own invention, on Dogue 
Hun Farm. It was two stories high and sixty feet in 
diameter, and was so arranged thai when rain drove the 
farm help out of the fields they could here under shelter, 
in lh<> second story, thresh out the grain on a ten-foot 
floor of open slats which entirely surrounded the central 
mows. Another feature of this barn, in which he took 
so much pride, and which was the wonder of the 
neighbors, was an} inclined runway which admitted the 
oxen or horses up to the circular treading floor. 



MOUNT VERNON 197 

When Pearce arrived in 1793 the President wrote him 
a characteristic letter giving a schedule of work for the 
carpenters. They were to begin at once the com- 
pletion of the circular barn and the stables attached 
thereto for horses and cattle. After that "the work 
essentially necessary to be done," he wrote, was "build- 
ing the house for Crow — Repairing my house in Alex- 
andria for Mrs. Fanny Washington — which must be 
done before the first of May — Inclosing the lot on which 
it stands for a Garden or Yard. — Repairing the Mil- 
lers house. — Removing the larger kind of Negro quar- 
ters (the smaller ones or cabbins, I presume the people 
with a little assistance of Carts can do themselves) to 
the ground marked out for them opposite to Crow's 
New house. — Repairing at a proper time those he will 
remove from. — Lending aid in drawing the houses at 
River farm into some uniform shape, in a convenient 
place. — Repairing the Barn and Stables at Muddy- 
hole. — Compleating the Dormant Windows in the back 
of the Stable at Mansion house and putting two in the 
front of it agreeably to directions already given to 
Thomas Green — after which, and perhaps doing some 
other things which do not occur to me at this moment, 
my intention is to build a large Barn, and sheds for 
Stables upon the plan of that at Dogue Run (if, on trial 
it should be found to answer to the expectation w ch is 
formed of it) at River Farm." 

In another letter he enclosed a schedule of the bricks 
needed for the barn on the River Farm. They were 
139,980 in number. In view of these extensive im- 
provements something had to be neglected, and it ap- 
pears to have been the palings of the deer park. When 



198 MOUNT VERNON 

Pearce forwarded the gardener's complaint of the in- 
jury the roving animals did the shrubbery, the General 
did not consider new palings, rather he was "at a loss 
whether to give up the Shrubbery or the 
Deer!" The only new feature of the mansion at this 
time seems to have been the "Venetian blinds . 
painted green, for all the windows on the West side of 
the House." 

Whenever away from Mount Vernon not only a por- 
tion of his mind but all his heart seems to have been 
there. He had better control of his emotions in this 
respect, however, than Mrs. Washington; with greater 
need. She was downright homesick. When the war 
ended they had hoped to pass the remainder of their 
days at their river home in peace and tranquillity. 
The renewed absences during the Presidency fretted 
Mrs. Washington, she longed for home and said so. She 
found official life dull and went about little. "Indeed 
I think I am more like a State prisoner than anything 
else," she said; " there is certain bounds set for me which 
I must not depart from — and as I cannot doe as I like, 
I am obstinate and stay at home a great deal." 

Her husband's love for Mount Vernon was even more 
passionate. It breathes forth in letter after letter in 
spite of his excellent self-control. It was his "goal of 
domestic enjoyment"; his "vine and fig-tree" over and 
over again; and he dwelt caressingly on its "tranquil 
scenes" whether absent or among them. It was his 
pride to be thought the first farmer in America. He 
declared no estate to be so pleasantly situated as his. 
"I can truly say," he exclaimed, "I had rather be at 
Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be 



MOUNT VERNON 199 

attended at the seat of government by the officers of 
state and the representatives of every power in Europe." 
As the time approached to relinquish office and return 
to his plantation, he looked forward to this last journey 
with the eagerness of a freed schoolboy, declaring, "No 
consideration under heaven, that I can foresee, shall 
again withdraw me from the walks of private life." 

John Adams was inaugurated March 4, 1797. Wash- 
ington thus once more became a private citizen. Mr. 
Adams, writing his wife, said: "A solemn scene it was 
indeed, and it was made more affecting to me by the 
presence of the General, whose countenence was as se- 
rene and unclouded as the day. He seemed to me to 
enjoy a triumph over me. Methought I heard him say, 
'Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! See which of 
us will be the happiest!'" 

The citizens of Philadelphia gave Washington a fare- 
well dinner under the great roof of Rickett's Circus. 
As the extensive company marched in to the tables, 
said a journal of the day, "Washington's march re- 
sounded through the place, and a curtain drew up which 
presented to view a transparent full length painting of 
the late President, whom Fame is crowning with a 
Wreath of Laurel, taking leave after delivering to her 
his valedictory address, of the Genius of America, who 
is represented by a Female Figure holding the Cap of 
Liberty in her hand, with an Altar before her, inscribed 
PUBLIC GRATITUDE. In the painting are intro- 
duced several emblematic devices of the honours he had 
acquired by his public services, and a distant view of 
Mount Vernon the seat of retirement." 

On March 9th Washington left Philadelphia. A 



200 MOUNT VERNON 

Baltimore paper reported the party made up of "His 
Excellency . . . his lady and Miss Custis, the 
son of the Unfortunate LaFayette and his preceptor." 
But Washington in a postscript to a letter, written on the 
way, to Lear, indicated others: "On one side I am called 
upon to remember the Parrot, and on the other to re- 
member the dog. For my own part I should not pine 
much if both were forgot." 

Everywhere along the route the illustrious traveller 
was met by escorts of military, by processions, salutes, 
entertainments, and ovations from the assembled 
crowds. An escort of mounted troops from Alexandria 
finally accompanied him to the gates of Mount Vernon, 
where he arrived on Saturday, April 1, 1797. 






CHAPTER XVI 

Planter Once More — Repairing the Neglect of Years of Absence — 
Refurnishing the Mansion — Joking About Death — Renewed 
Social Gayety — A Letter to Mrs. Fairfax — George Wash- 
ington LaFayette — Distinguished Visitors — Bushrod Wash- 
ington and John Marshall Bring a Peddler's Pack — General 
Henry Lee and His Liberties — The Polish Gentleman's 
Visit — Washington's Own Account of How He Spent His 
Time. 

WASHINGTON left the pageantry of public 
life outside the gates of Mount Vernon. As 
he turned in and they closed behind him, it 
was with a profound relief and a tranquil delight that he 
beheld, across the rolling green lands, centred through 
the opening in the wall of woods, his tabernacle of 
peace. Just one-half of all the years of his ownership of 
Mount Vernon were given to the public service. 

He had come home to stay. He sensed it and, though 
a man's sixty -fifth year would be late for him to resume 
the interests of youth, he began where he left off when 
his country called him thence, nearly a quarter of a cen- 
tury before, to lead her armies. 

He acknowledged that he felt himself a permanent 
resident of Mount Vernon now for the first time in 
twenty-five years. During that period he had been the 
public's servant, an exile from his much-desired retire- 
ment, save for his brief "furlough" between the end of 
his military service and his call to the Presidency, an 
interval crowded with the penalties of fame and the 

201 



202 MOUNT VERNON 

anxieties of the prophetic patriot who foresaw the ne- 
cessity of a coherent union and worked unceasingly to 
effect it. 

The house and the lands and "his people" retained a 
hold over him which he had never relinquished. In his 
letters he defers a little to the current literary fashion 
for sentimental melancholy — "To the wearied traveller, 
who sees a resting-place, and is bending his body to 
rest thereon, I now compare myself" — but for the most 
part they teem with his interest in the renewed activity. 

"For myself," he wrote Oliver Wolcott, "having 
turned aside from the broad walks of political, into the 
narrow paths of private life, I shall leave it with those, 
whose duty it is to consider subjects of this sort, and, 
(as every good citizen ought to do,) conform to whatever 
the ruling powers shall decide. To make and sell a 
little flour annually, to repair houses (going fast to 
ruin), to build one for the security of my papers of a 
public nature, and to amuse myself in agricultural and 
rural pursuits, will constitute employment for the few 
years I have to remain on this terrestrial globe. If, to 
these, I could now and then meet the friends I esteem, 
it would fill the measure and add zest to my enjoyments; 
but, if ever this happens, it must be under my own vine 
and fig-tree, as I do not think it probable that I shall 
go beyond twenty miles from them." 

"Rural employments. . . . will now take place 
of toil, — responsibility — and the solicitudes of attend- 
ing the walks of public life," he wrote another, and 
Nellie Custis wrote Mrs. Wolcott of how much pleased 
her "Grandpapa," as she called him, was "with being 
once more Farmer Washington" 



MOUNT VERNON 203 

Every aspect of the place now reminded him of his 
absence, for it had let down perceptibly at all points. 
He pushed repairs on his barns, overseers' houses, slave 
quarters and fences. This was all done with such thor- 
oughness that "the expense was almost as great and the 
employment of attending to the workmen almost as 
much" as if he had "commenced an entire new estab- 
lishment." 

In spite of all the outlying work, however, his first 
and most cherished interest was to put his house in or- 
der. " I find myself in the situation nearly of a young 
beginner," he wrote McHenry, "for, although I have 
not houses to build (except one, which I must erect for 
the accomodation and security of my Military, Civil, 
and private Papers, which are voluminous and may be 
interesting), yet I have not one, or scarcely anything 
else about me that does not require considerable repairs. 
In a word, I am already surrounded by Joiners, Masons, 
Painters, &c, &c; and such is my anxiety to get out of 
their hands, that I have scarcely a room to put a friend 
into, or to sit in myself, without the music of hammers, 
or the odoriferous smell of paint." 

The exact nature of the work on the mansion he re- 
vealed in a letter to his faithful and much-appreciated 
Lear, who remained behind in Philadelphia to close the 
house the President had occupied, pack and ship such 
furnishings as were wanted at Mount Vernon, and sell 
the balance: 

"The work immediately foreseen and which must be 
done without delay, is to refix the marble Chimney 
piece in the parlour, which is almost falling out, to fix 



204 MOUNT VERNON 

the new one (expected from Philadelphia) in the small 
dining Room; to remove the one now there, into what 
is called the School room, — to fix the grate which is 
coming round in the large dining room; — and to give 
some repairs to the steps; which (like most things else 
I have looked into since I have been home) are sadly 
out of repair." 

That twelve busy months were exacted for this work 
is learned from a letter written a year later to his old 
neighbor, Sarah Fairfax, the widow of Colonel George 
William Fairfax, a letter which confirms again the time 
when he made the last former repairs to the mansion: 

"Before the war, and even while it existed, although 
I was eight years from home at one stretch, (except the 
en passant visits made to it on my marches to and from 
the seige of Yorktown,) I made considerable additions 
to my dwelling-houses, and alterations in my offices and 
gardens; but the delapidation occasioned by time, and 
those neglects, which are coextensive with the absence 
of proprieters, have occupied as much of my time within 
the last twelve months in repairing them, as at any 
former period in the same space; and it is matter of sore 
regret, when I cast my eyes towards Bel voir, which I 
often do, to reflect, the former inhabitants of it, with 
whom we lived in such harmony and friendship, no 
longer reside there, and that the ruins can only be 
viewed as the memento of former pleasures." 

The interior of the mansion took on a more elaborate 
effect at this time by reason of the addition of much of 
the fine furniture, silver, china, glass, and other fur- 



MOUNT VERNON 205 

nishings which the General and his wife had accumu- 
lated at the Presidential Mansion in Philadelphia, and 
of numerous curious and elegant presents admirers 
had sent Washington. Among them were the harpsi- 
chord which he imported from London for Nellie 
Custis, and over which she spent so many many hours 
of practice under the disciplinary eye of her grand- 
mother; the small (twenty by thirty inches) Trum- 
bull portrait of the General standing by the side of his 
horse; the shaving stand which was presented to him 
by the first French Minister to this country; and the 
oak box made from the tree which sheltered the great 
Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk, and 
sent to Washington by the Earl of Buchan. 

As the General had ridden home amid the applause 
of the crowds which saluted him on every hand, his 
thoughts seem to have been well fastened on the re- 
furnishing of his house, for directions for the choice 
and packing of what he desired filled letters which he 
posted to Lear at each principal stop after they left 
Philadelphia. The large looking glasses, "the grate 
(from Mr. Morris's)," the "bedstead which Nellie 
Custis slept on," and "the trundle under it" were all to 
be packed carefully against tossing in the vessel's hold. 
He desires "new Carpeting as will cover the floor of my 
blue Parlour," Wilton if it is "not much dearer than 
Scotch Carpeting." ... "a suitable border if to 
be had, should accompany the Carpeting" . . . 
"all the Carpeting belonging to me I would have sent; — 
and Mrs. Washington requests that you would add the 
Bellows and the Vessels (Iron & Tin) in which the 
ashes are carried out." . . . "Desire Peter Por- 



20G MOUNT VERNON 

cwpine's Gazette to be sent to me (as a subscriber)." 
. . . "Pray get me of those Thermometers that 
tell the state of the Mercury within the 24 hours — 
Doctor Priestly or Mr. Madison can tell where it is 
to be had." . . . "Let me request the favour of 
you to purchase for me half a dozen pair of the best 
kind of White Silk stockings (not those with gores but) 
to be large, and with small clocks (I think they are 
called) I want the same number of raw silk, for boot 
stockings; large and strong." 

In connection with these attentions to refurnishing, 
there are traditions that he kept certain curtain cor- 
nices and the painting of Vernon's fleet riding before 
Carthagena, both of which were in the house when he 
first came there to live, and have been there ever since, 
accredited veterans of the chat tels of the mansion. 

Life appeared very full and very sweet, in spite 
of minor occasional complaints. As Christmas ap- 
proached the General made a draft of a letter to Mrs. 
Powell for Martha, who seems not to have been willing 
to compose her own letters in later life, and it reflected 
their gay mood: 

"I am now, by desire of the General to add a few 
words on his behalf; which he desires may be ex- 
pressed in the terms following, that is to say, — that 
despairing of hearing what may be said of him, if he 
should really go off in an apoplectic, or any other fit 
(for he thinks that all fits that issue in death are worse 
than a love fit, a fit of laughter, and many other kinds 
that he could name) — he is glad to hear beforehand 
what will be said of him on that occasion ; — conceiving 



MOUNT VERNON 207 

that nothing extra: will happen between this and then 
to make a change in his character for better, or for 
worse. — And besides, as he has entered into an engage- 
ment with M r . Morris, and several other Gentlemen, 
not to quit the theatre of this world before the year 
1800, it may be relied upon that no breach of contract 
shall be laid to him on that account, unless dire neces- 
sity should bring it about, maugre all his exertions to the 
contrary. — In that case, he shall hope they would do by 
him as he would do by them — excuse it. At present 
there seems no danger of his giving them the slip, as 
neither his health nor spirits, were ever in greater flow, 
notwithstanding, he adds, he is descending, and has 
almost reached, the bottom of the hill; — or in other 
words, the shades below." 

Life in the mansion was never gayer than now. 
Young Custis was away part of the time, to be sure, 
pursuing his studies at college, but his sister Nellie 
was now a beautiful young woman of nearly twenty 
and enlivened the house with her girlish spirit, her 
troops of friends, and not least with the piquancy of 
an inevitable romance. Her elder sisters, Mrs. Law 
and Mrs. Peter, with their husbands and children 
drove down frequently from their homes in George- 
town and Washington; so did their mother, now Mrs. 
Doctor Stuart, from her new home, Hope Park, west- 
ward, near Ravens worth. The Lewis boys, sons of 
Betty Washington Lewis, were frequent visitors; as 
were other nephews and nieces of both the General 
and Mrs. Washington. 

Mount Vernon was the rallying point as formerly for 



208 MOUNT VERNON 

the extended neighborhood, though there were changes 
enough since the days of hunts and dinners and dances 
at Belvoir and Gunston Hall, the sprightly racing sea- 
sons at Annapolis, and the frequent balls at Alexandria. 
In another letter which the General wrote for his wife 
to copy and send to their friend Mrs. Fairfax in Eng- 
land, he reviews the neighborhood changes: 

"It is among my greatest regrets, now I am again 
fixed ( I hope for life) at this place, at not having you as 
a neighbor and companion. This loss was not sensibly 
felt by me while I was a kind of perambulator, during 
eight or nine years of the war, and during other eight 
years which I resided a I the seal of the general govern- 
ment, occupied in scenes more busy, tho' not more 
happy, than in the tranquil employment of rural life 
with which my days will close. 

"The changes which have taken place in this coun- 
try, since you left it (and it is pretty much the same in 
all other parts of this State) are, in one word, total. 
In Alexandria, I do not believe there lives at this day 
a single family with which you had the smallest ac- 
quaintance. In our neighborhood Colo. Mason, Colo. 
McCarty and wife, Mr. Chichestor, Mr. Lund Wash- 
ington and all the Wageners, have left the stage of 
human life; and our visitors on the Maryland side 
are none and going likewise. . . . AYith respect 
to my own family, it will not I presume, be new to you 
to hear that my son died in the fall of 1781. He left 
four fine children, three daughters and a son; the two 
eldest of the former are married, and have three chil- 
dren between them, all girls. . . . Both live in the 



MOUNT VERNON 209 

federal city. The youngest daughter, Eleanor, is yet 
single, and lives with me, having done so from an 
infant; as has my grandson George Washington, now 
turned seventeen, except when at college; to three of 
which he has been — viz — Philadelphia, New Jersey 
and Annapolis, at the last of which he now is." 

To Mrs. Knox she wrote: 

"The General and I feel like children just released 
from school or from a hard taskmaster, and we believe 
that nothing can tempt us to leave the sacred roof tree 
again, except on private business or pleasure. We are 
so penurious with our enjoyment that we are loth to 
share it with any one but dear friends, yet almost 
every day some stranger claims a portion of it, and we 
cannot refuse. . . . Our furniture and other things 
sent us from Philadelphia arrived safely, our plate we 
brought with us in the carriage. ... I am again 
fairly settled down to the pleasant duties of an old- 
fashioned Virginia house-keeper, steady as a clock, busy 
as a bee, and cheerful as a cricket." 

When returning from Philadelphia the General 
brought home with him George Washington LaFayette, 
son of his dear Marquis, who was accompanied by his 
tutor, M. Frestel. The young man had been in Amer- 
ica nearly two years, but so long as Washington held an 
official position reasons of state made it inexpedient to 
invite him into his own family, but when he was again 
a private citizen he at once welcomed the young man 
to his home with the tenderness of a father. A report 



210 MOUNT VERNON 

of LaFayette's release from prison reached America 
in the autumn and his son sailed for France October 
2(>th. It was not his last visit to American or to Mount 
Vernon. 

Other distinguished emigres who had not been re- 
ceived by the President in Philadelphia, but were later 
welcomed at his home on the Potomac, included the 
Due d'Orleans, afterward Louis Philippe, and his 
brothers, Montpensier and Beaujolais. 

During '97 and '98 came Volney, the freethinker, for 
a recommendation, and received the equivocal "C. 
Volney needs no recommendation from Geo. Wash- 
ington"; Benjamin II. Latrobe, Amariah Frost, and 
Mr. Niemcewitz, "the companion of General Kosci- 
aski," all of whom wrote valued descriptions of Mount 
Vernon and of Washington; young Charles Carroll 
of Carrollton, suspected of sentimental intentions in 
regard to Nellie Custis; and once, on the same day, 
"M r Law e Washington of Chotanck & M r Law Wash- 
ington of Belmont came to dinner." 

The arrival 'one autumn day of Bushrod Washington 
and his friend John Marshall, later Chief Justice of the 
United States, afforded one of the most amusing tradi- 
tions of the place. They came, as the story runs, on 
horseback, "attended by a black servant, who had 
charge of a large black portmanteau containing their 
clothes. As I hoy passed through a wood on the skirts 
of the Mount Vernon grounds they were tempted to 
make a hasty toilet beneath its shade; being covered 
with dust from the state of the roads. Dismounting, 
they threw off their dusty garments, while the servant 
took down the portmanteau. As he opened it, out 



MOUNT VERNON 211 

flew cakes of windsor soap and fancy articles of all 
kinds. The man by mistake had changed their port- 
manteau at the last stopping place for one which re- 
sembled it, belonging to a Scotch pedlar. The con- 
sternation of the negro, and their own dismantled state, 
struck them so ludicrously as to produce loud and re- 
peated bursts of laughter. Washington, who happened 
to be out upon his grounds, was attracted by the noise, 
and was so overcome by the strange plight of his friends, 
and the whimsicality of the whole scene, that he is said 
to have actually rolled on the grass with laughter." 

More frequently than many others came General 
Henry Lee who, of all of them, stood least in awe of the 
majestic Washington. Tradition has floated down nu- 
merous anecdotes of his table talk at Mount Vernon. 

On one occasion Lee quoted Gilbert Stuart, the por- 
trait painter, as having said that the General had a 
tremendous temper. Mrs. Washington colored and 
said that "Mr. Stuart took a great deal on himself." 
Lee then said that Stuart had added that the General 
had his temper under wonderful control. After a 
thoughtful pause the General himself smiled and re- 
marked, "Mr. Stuart is right." 

On another occasion General Lee expressed the wide- 
spread amazement at the vast amount of work Wash- 
ington did. "Sir," he replied, "I rise at four o'clock 
and a great deal of my work is done while others sleep." 

Lee's great impertinence was committed at table one 
day when Washington remarked that he wanted new 
carriage horses and asked Lee if he could get him a pair. 
"I have a fine pair, General," answered Lee, "but you 
cannot get them." " Why not? " asked his host. " Be- 



212 MOUNT VERNON 

cause," Lee replied, "y° u will never pay more than half 
price for anything; and I must have full price for my 
horses." At this Mrs. Washington laughed and was 
joined by her parrot, perched near her, doubtless the 
same one the General had the care of on his way home. 
Washington yielded to the situation and said with good 
humor: "Ah, Lee, you are a funny fellow, see that bird 
is laughing at you." 

The General and Mrs. Washington defended them- 
selves from the overrunning visitors, who would have 
left them no life of their own, by a well-understood for- 
mality which restricted certain time for their own. It 
was at the dinner hour after his ride over the farms that 
Washington's visitors saw him first. After dinner he 
spent an interval talking with them, "with a glass of 
Madeira by his side," and then withdrew to his library 
again where he made a hasty survey of the newspapers, 
of which he received a great many, and retired for the 
night at nine o'clock, if possible without appearing at 
supper. 

Mrs. Washington's first appearance in the morning 
seems to have been "precisely at eleven," when she 
spent an hour with her guests, who were expected to be 
waiting her at that time. When the clock struck twelve 
she would bid them good-morning and ascend to her 
chamber, to reappear punctually on the stroke of one. 
At this time she was followed by a servant with a bowl 
of punch which was served. She presided at the supper 
table and spent the evening with her guests. 

It was Kosciuszko's friend who left one of the most 
graphic sketches of life and conditions at Mount Vernon 
at this time which survives. He journeyed thither with 




Eleanor ("Nellie") Parke Custis 
Granddaughter of Martha Washington from a painting by Gilbert Stuart 



MOUNT VERNON 21S 

Mr. Law. When they arrived the General was absent 
on his morning tour of his estate, but "his lady ap- 
peared in a few minutes, welcomed us most agreeably, 
and hastened to serve punch. At two o'clock the Gen- 
eral arrived on the back of a grey horse. He descended, 
shook hands, and gave a lash to his horse, which went 
alone to the stable. After a short conversation he re- 
tired in order to change his dress." 

The visitor then inspected the house. In the hall he 
found "a kind of crystal lantern contains the true key of 
the Bastille " and underneath it hung " a picture represent- 
ing the destruction of that formidable castle." The 
model of the Bastille carved from one of its stones stood 
on the piazza, "it is a pity that children have spoiled it 
a little." At this time, from the Polish gentleman's 
account, Washington's bedroom seems to have been on 
the ground floor; probably a temporary arrangement. 
The views from the portico excited his liveliest enthu- 
siasm. "This gallery is the place where the General and 
his family spend their afternoons with their guests, en- 
joying fresh air and the beautiful scenery. "... 

He gives this glimpse of the spirit of youth which 
Nellie Custis brought into the picture: "About three 
o'clock a carriage drawn by two horses, accompanied by 
a young man on horseback, stopped before the door. A 
young lady of the most wonderful beauty, closely fol- 
lowed by an elderly attendant, descended. She was one 
of those celestial beings so rarely produced by nature, 
sometimes dreamt of by poets and painters, which one 
cannot see without a feeling of ecstacy. Her sweetness 
equals her beauty, and that is perfect. She has many 
accomplishments. She plays on the piano, she sings 



214 MOUNT VERNON 

and designs better than the usual woman of America or 
even of Europe." 

The deer-park palings had now rotted and the deer 
were scattered. 15ut when a group of bucks came 
browsing in sight of the mansion, "the General pro- 
posed to me to go to see them nearer. We went. He 
walks very quickly. I could scarcely follow him." 
But the bucks observed their approach and disappeared 
•in the woods. 

How the time passed with Washington himself, he 
told, when he became the historian of one of his days, 
"which will serve for a year," in a letter to his friend 
James Mcllenry: 

"You are at the source of information, and can find 
many things to relate; while I have nothing to say, that 
could either inform or amuse a Secretary at War in 
Philadelphia. I might tell him, that I begin my 
diurnal course with the sun; that, if my hirelings are not 
in their places al thai time I send them messages ex- 
pressive of my sorrow at their indisposition; that, hav- 
ing put these wheels in motion, 1 examine the slate of 
things further; and the more they are probed, the deeper 
1 hud the wounds are which my buildings have sustained 
by an absence and neglect of eight years; by the time I 
have accomplished these matters, breakfast (a little 
after seven o'clock, about the time I presume you are 
taking leave of Mrs. Mcllenry), is ready; that, this 
being over, 1 mount my horse and ride round my farms, 
which employs me until it is time to dress for dinner, at 
which I rarely miss seeing strange faces, conic as they 
say out of respect f..r me. Pray, would qoI the word 



MOUNT VERNON 215 

curiosity answer as well? And how different this from 
having a few social friends at a cheerful board! The 
usual time of sitting at table, a walk, and tea, brings me 
within the dawn of candlelight; previous to which, if not 
prevented by company, I resolve, that, as soon as the 
glimmering taper supplies the place of the great lumi- 
nary, I will retire to my writing-table and acknowledge 
the letters I have received; but when the lights are 
brought, I feel tired and disinclined to engage in this 
work, conceiving that the next night will do as well. 
The next comes, and with it the same causes for post- 
ponement, and effect, and so on. 

"This will account for your letter remaining so long 
unacknowledged; and, having given you the history of a 
day, it will serve for a year, and I am persuaded you will 
not require a second edition of it. But it may strike 
you, that in this detail no mention is made of any por- 
tion of time alloted for reading. The remark would be 
just, for I have not looked into a book since I came home 
nor shall I be able to do it until I have discharged 
my workmen, probably not before the nights grow 
longer, when possibly I may be looking in Doomsday- 
Book." 



CHAPTER XVII 

The Year 1709 — Washington's Fortieth Wedding Anniversary 
— Two Birthday Celebrations — Wedding of Nellie Custis 
and Lawrence Lewis — A Gay Summer— First Dinner Alone 
with Mrs. Washington in Twenty Years— Bankruptcy by 
Hospitality — Mount Vernon Washington's Consuming In- 
terest — A Luxury — The Rickety Stairway at the Polls — A 
Birth in the Mansion Washington Survives His Sister and 
All His Brothers — Last Dinner Parties at Mount Eagle and 
Mount Vernon — Caught in a Storm — Last Illness — Death 
— Funeral. 

THE year of 1799 was one of singular range and 
variety at Mount Vernon. It found the 
estate in its highest stage of development. 
The mansion was in perfect condition and was adorned 
with the taste and the trophies of Washington's 
matured career. From without the admiration and ap- 
plause of the world centred here on its illustrious master. 
As month after month slipped by the round of gayety, 
the number of visitors, and the events of significance 
were, perhaps, more numerous than in any other year 
of its long life. It saw the culmination of a romance in 
marriage, the fruition of that union in birth and, in its 
last month, transpired the final scene in the immortal 
career of which Mount Vernon was the principal set- 
ting. 

The sixth day of the first month brought the fortieth 
anniversary of the General's marriage to Martha Custis. 
If it was not celebrated, the day did not pass unnoticed 

£10 



MOUNT VERNON 217 

by them, for Washington was not without sentiment. 
On a gold chain about his neck, for many years, until 
the end of his life and beyond, he wore a miniature por- 
trait of his wife. 

In February he was the guest of the citizens of Alex- 
andria for their customary celebration of his birthday. 
"Many Manoeuvres were performed by the Uniform 
Corps — and an elegant Ball & supper at Night." This 
was the entry in the diary for the 11th of the month. 
Washington was born February 11th, old style. The 
new calendar was in vogue shortly after, which moved 
his birthday up to the 22d, but the old friends clung to 
the old fashion, and so as long as he was with them his 
neighbors in the little city up river celebrated on the 
11th. 

His birthday was celebrated twice this year of 1799, 
the second time on the 22d, within the walls of his own 
home. There "Miss Custis was married ab l Candle 
Light to M r Law e Lewis." Washington chronicled 
events in deceptively few words. The wedding was in 
fact a brilliant occasion and was the culmination of a 
romance which enlisted the General's most interested 
solicitude, for Nellie Custis was the object, next to his 
wife, of his tenderest affection. She came into his life at 
a time when it was apparent that his union would not be 
blessed with a child of his own. He adopted her and 
brought her to Mount Vernon, and she never knew any 
other father or any other home than his. 

She was known and loved by every servant and slave 
on the place. To them as to all who came to Mount 
Vernon in the later years of Washington's life, she rep- 
resented the youth of the place. They had seen her 



218 MOUNT VERNON 

grow up and watched her romance, and sensed it and 
gossiped it possibly before she realized it herself; for it 
was wholly of Mount Vernon. 

Lawrence Lewis was the General's nephew, son of 
his sister Hetty, and a member of the household. He 
had, some time before, become a member of the family 
at the mansion for the purpose of assisting in the enter- 
tainment of the visitors, "particularly of nights," his 
uncle said, "as it is my inclination to retire (and unless 
prevented by very particular company, I always do 
retire) either to bed or to my study soon after candle 
light." 

It was in the gardens, along the walks, and in the 
quiet corners of the old mansion that Lawrence and 
Nellie were drawn together, and love held them. He 
was offered another commission in the military service 
just before his marriage but he declined it, which caused 
the Genera] to remark that his nephew had relinquished 
" the lapp of Mars for the Sports of Venus."' 

With the arrival of spring visiting abroad began. 
There were the races, dinners, and Independence Day 
celebration in Alexandria; visits to the homes of Mrs. 
Washington's granddaughters, Mrs. Law and Mrs. 
Peter, in Washington City and its suburb, George- 
town; tours afield to run surveys of his land about 
Four Mile Run between Alexandria and Washington 
City; and once faring forth as far as Difficult Run, 
some twenty miles northwest of his home — with one 
exception, farther than he had ventured from Mount 
Vernon after he retired from the public service. That 
exception was his visit to Philadelphia during the 
previous November and December, when war threat- 



MOUNT VERNON 219 

ened with France and he was again called to command 
the armies of his country. 

It was a gay summer at the mansion, if possible with 
more guests than ever. Though when had it been 
without guests ? A short time before this the General had 
written Lear that "Mrs. Washington & myself will 
do what I believe has not been done within the last 
twenty years by us, — that is set down to dinner by our- 
selves." 

Small wonder he compared his house to "a well re- 
sorted tavern" and to the end of his life complained of 
being poor. Hospitality did its share to beget many 
a pinched pocketbook. Much less sought-after Vir- 
ginians than Washington bent under the strain of 
Virginia hospitality, the unending procession of visitors, 
singly, by coach loads, and by whole families. It is 
said of Henry Fitzhugh of Eagle's Nest, in Stafford 
County, that he found his whole substance was going 
to the support of the public, and in sheer economy he 
built Ravensworth in Fairfax County, some ten miles 
northwest of Mount Vernon, to be away from the well- 
travelled highways. Hospitality bankrupted General 
Henry Lee. 

Washington's wealth was never the production of 
his Mount Vernon farms. A luxury they remained 
to the end, a toy of his thoughts and plans and experi- 
ments. This year of '99 he completed an elaborate 
system for the cultivation of his plantations, with 
tables to govern his overseers in the rotation of the 
crops. It covered thirty large pages closely written 
by his own hand, and it remains one of the testimonials 
to his genius for organization and detail, and the sound- 



220 MOUNT VERNON 

ness of his mind and the clearness of his perceptions in 
the sixty-seventh year of his life. 

Mount Vernon now absorbed Washington more and 
more, to the exclusion of other interests, and the public 
life receded farther into the background of memory. 
Though to the neighbors he was by name "the old 
General," neighborly feeling eclipsed the significance 
of the title and to them he became merely a planter, 
"a clear-headed, sensible man, whose opinion was worth 
having, and who was well worth consulting in farming 
matters or on common business." 

Their traditional picture of him was a rugged old 
gentleman, dressed in gray clothes, a broad-brimmed 
hat on his head, and an umbrella under his arm, sitting 
his horse like a centaur, and riding afield to the extremi- 
ties of his estate, slipping out of the saddle on occasion 
to chat with his old legionaries — Jack of Jack's Mill, 
the Mill at Epsewasson of his third year above three- 
score years before, and Gray of Gray's Hill, on that 
ridge which includes Woodlawn, the land for which was 
his wedding present to Nellie and Lawrence, and was 
called by him "a most beautiful site for a Gentlemans 
seat. 

When the Gentlemen of the Alexandria Assemblies 
sent their polite invitation to the General and his wife 
for their winter dances, he replied that his dancing 
days were over. But he drove up to town frequently 
for visits that included a duck dinner at mine host 
(Jadsby's City Hotel, a review of Captain Piercy's 
Independent Blues, and the easting of his last vote. 
The polling place was up a flight of outside steps, so 
rickety that, when the huge form of the General ap- 



MOUNT VERNON 221 

proached their foot, the bystanders, apprehending 
danger to him, with silent and spontaneous accord 
braced the stairway with their shoulders as he mounted, 
and waited there until he descended. 

November was a month of expectation and great 
preparation in the mansion. Nellie and Lawrence had 
been back some time since from their honeymoon. 
Finally their old friend Doctor Craik was summoned 
on the 27th, "came to Breakfast & stayed dinner," and 
during the forenoon Nellie's first child, a daughter, was 
born. 

In the early autumn had come word of the General's 
brother Charles Washington's death. "I was the first, 
and am, now, the last of my father's children by the 
second marriage who remain," he said. " When I shall be 
called upon to follow them, is known only to the Giver of 
Life. When the summons comes I shall endeavor to 
obey it with a good grace." With that time in view 
he pointed out to Lawrence Lewis, in early December, 
where he intended to build a new burial vault to replace 
the old vault which had begun to weaken under the 
ferreting roots of the trees growing above it. He de- 
clared this would be the next improvement he would 
make, adding "for after all, I may require it before the 
rest." 

On Saturday, the 7th of December, Washington 
drove up to Mount Eagle on Great Hunting Creek and 
dined with Bryan Fairfax and his family. When he 
returned home he did not leave Mount Vernon again. 
There was something of a family party over Sunday, 
the 8th, but on Monday Lawrence Lewis and Washing- 
ton Custis set off for New Kent on the York, and an- 



222 MOUNT VERNON 

other nephew, Howell Lewis, and his wife, departed 
for their home. On Wednesday he had quite a dinner 
party about him, including Bryan Fairfax, his son and 
daughter, Mrs. Warner Washington and her son Whit- 
ing, and Mr. John Herbert. 

Washington was apparently in his usual health. 
Following his daily custom of riding over his farms be- 
tween breakfasl and dinner, he was, on Thursday, 
caught out in a storm of snow, hail, and sleet, and re- 
turned to the mansion through a settled cold rain. He 
believed his greatcoat had given him sufficent protec- 
tion and sat down to dinner without changing his 
clothes. 

lie seemed none the worse for his experience on 
Friday, and during the afternoon he tramped through 
three inches of snow, marking trees which were to be 
cut down to improve the grounds between the house 
and the river. In the course of the day he wrote a 
letter of instructions to his manager, the last letter he 
is known to have written. And it is interesting to this 
chronicle that his last activities and his last written 
words should have been devoted, even as was his whole 
life, to I he care of Mount Vernon. 

He spent the evening with the family and appeared 
to be in a cheerful mood, though somewhat hoarse. 
The papers had been brought from the post-office and 
he read them aloud and commented on items of peculiar 
interest. Lear suggested a remedy for his cold as the 
General retired, but he refused it, as he never took 
anything for a cold, and preferred to "let it go as it 
came." And so upstairs to his bedroom at the south 
end of the house over the library. 



MOUNT VERNON 223 

Between two and three o'clock in the morning (Satur- 
day, December 14th) he wakened Mrs. Washington 
and confessed that he was very unwell. He would 
not let her get up to call assistance lest she take cold. 
When a servant appeared, however, Doctor Craik and 
Doctor Dick of Alexandria and Doctor Brown of Port 
Tobacco were sent for, and all arrived before four 
o'clock in the afternoon. They found the General 
suffering with a well-defined case of what was then 
called quinsy. Their ministrations gave no relief. 

The General several times during the day expressed 
his belief that his end was near. "It is a debt we all 
must pay," he said, and faced the inevitable with 
perfect resignation. His wife, his old friend Doctor 
Craik, his faithful secretary Lear, and the domestic 
servants remained in the room with him continuously. 

The day dragged itself into darkness. A fire flick- 
ered on the hearth opposite the foot of his bed. Candles 
spread a soft light. About ten o'clock he whispered 
some directions to Lear, and when assured he was 
understood, added: " 'Tis well." He did not speak 
again. Shortly afterward it was noticed that his 
breathing became much easier, and presently he felt 
his own pulse. In a few minutes, without struggle 
or pain, he breathed his last. 

Riders were dispatched from Mount Vernon to the 
north and to the south, to notify the President of the 
United States, other officials, relatives and friends, of the 
death of General Washington. 

The brick wall across the opening of the old vault 
above the river was torn away and the interior made 
ready. Mrs. Washington directed that a wooden door 



224 MOUNT VERNON 

be built, for she said, "It will soon be necessary to 
open it again." Wednesday, December 18th, was fixed 
for the funeral. 

The ceremonial was simple. His Masonic and mili- 
tary friends of Alexandria and his neighbors and rel- 
atives of the countryside nearby were the only ones 
present. The casket rested in the portico. A schooner 
in the river fired minute guns, beginning about three 
o'clock, as the procession moved down the slope toward 
the tomb. 

The military led the way, the musicians playing a dirge 
with muffled drums, followed by the clergy; then the 
General's horse with his saddle, holsters, and pistols, led 
by two of his grooms; the body borne by Masonic and 
military officers; the relatives and intimate friends, 
Masons, the Corporation of Alexandria, and the people 
of the estate. 

The Rev. Mr. Davis, rector of Christ Church, Alex- 
andria, read the service and spoke briefly. The Masons 
then performed their ritual, after which the body was 
deposited in the tomb. 

So with the simplicity he would have preferred, sur- 
rounded only by his friends and his neighbors, he was 
laid to rest where he had lived with the fullest happiness. 
Mount Vernon was his home ; it now became the nation's 
shrine. 




CHAPTER XVni 

Death Chamber Sealed — Washington's Will — Mount Vernon 
Bequeathed to Bushrod Washington — Other Bequests — The 
Inventory — The Slave Problem — Martha Washington's Last 
Days — Death — Family Matters — Pictures, Plate, Furnish- 
ings, and Souvenirs Dispersed — Sale of 1802 — Bushrod 
Washington Takes Possession of Mount Vernon. 

4 FTER the General's death Mrs. Washington, fol- 
/\ lowing a custom then prevalent, closed his bed- 
X ^ chamber and moved into another. She chose 
the room at the south end of the third floor, directly 
over the one she had occupied with the General, because 
from its solitary dormer window she could see her hus- 
band's tomb. She continued to occupy this room as 
long as she lived. 

In the afternoon of his last day the General called his 
wife to his bedside and asked her to go below to his 
library and from his desk there bring his two wills. This 
she did. He examined them, declared one of them to be 
superseded by the other, and requested her to burn the 
earlier, which she did. 

The destroyed will was probably the one drawn for 
Washington by his attorney, Edmund Pendleton, in 
Philadelphia, when he was commissioned Commander- 
in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army. In his letter to 
Mrs. Washington, telling her of the new military career 
he had then entered upon, he said: 

225 



226 MOUNT VERNON 

"As life Is always uncertain, and common prudence 
dictates to every man the necessity of settling his tem- 
poral concerns, while it is in his power, and while the 
mind is calm and undisturbed, I have, since I came to 
this place (for I had not time to do it before I left home; 
got Colonel Pendleton to draft a will for me, by the di- 
rections I gave him, which will I now enclose. The pro- 
vision made for you in case of my death, will, I hope, be 
agreeable." 

This was, in fact, probably the second will Washington 
had made at the time he caused it to be drawn. When 
in the late fifties he left for the western campaign and 
put John Augustine Washington in charge of his estate, 
he told his brother that if he fell in the war he would 
leave Mount Vernon to him. Washington was too 
methodical and thorough a man not to have embodied 
such a promise in a will, and no doubl he made his first 
will at this time. 

The document which he finally ordered preserved, and 
by which the future proprietorship of Mount Vernon and 
of its furnishings and belongings was determined, was com- 
pleted by him July 9, 1799. The concluding paragraph 
discloses four points of interest: he prepared the will 
without legal advice, he provided for arbitration in case 
of dispute, he omitted the final " 9 " in the dating, and he 
signed it without witnesses. 

He bequeathed the whole of his Mount Vernon estate, 
real and personal, to his wife "for the term of her natural 
life. " lie gave her and her heirs " forever" all the house- 
hold furniture of every kind, except that otherwise dis- 
posed of. To his nephew Bushrod Washington, who had 



MOUNT VERNON 227 

risen to the distinction of a seat on the bench of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, he gave his library 
and all his papers relating to his civil and military ad- 
ministration of the affairs of the country. He directed 
the return of the Wallace Oak Box to the Earl of 
Buchan. The crab tree walking-stick with the gold 
head, which Benjamin Franklin bequeathed to him, he 
gave to his brother Charles Washington. Two other 
gold-headed canes engraved with the Washington arms, 
and two spyglasses used during the war, he gave "the 
friends and acquaintances of my juvenile years, Law- 
rence Washington and Robert Washington of Cho- 
tanck," to his "compatriot in arms and old and intimate 
friend," Doctor Craik, he gave his writing desk and 
chair; to Doctor David Stuart, his telescope and large 
shaving and dressing table; to Bryan Fairfax, a Bible 
in three large volumes; to General de LaFayette, "a pair 
of finely wrought steel pistols taken from the enemy in 
the Revolutionary war"; to Tobias Lear, the use, rent 
free, during the remainder of his life, of the farm where 
he lived about four miles east of Mount Vernon 
mansion; and, finally, "To each of my nephews William 
Augustine Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe 
Washington, Bushrod Washington and Samuel Wash- 
ington, I give one of the swords or cuttcaux of which I 
may die possessed, and they are to chuse in the order 
they are named. — These swords are accompanied with 
an injunction not to unsheath them for the purpose of 
shedding blood except it be for self-defence, or in de- 
fence of their Country and it's rights, and in the latter 
case to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling with 
them in their hands to the relinquishment thereof." 



228 MOUNT VERNON 

A natural pendant to the will of General Washington 
and of the most valued evidence in realizing the char- 
acter of the furnishings of the mansion during his life- 
time, is the inventory of his personal effects made by 
those charged with their final appraisement. If it 
makes no mention of some objects otherwise known to 
have been in the house, it does place many valuable and 
curious things in the rooms where Washington and his 
guests were accustomed to see them. 

In the large room in the north end, variously styled 
the New Room, the New Dining Room and the Banquet 
Room — were tw T enty-seven mahogany chairs, two side- 
boards, and large looking-glasses, four silver-plated 
lamps, on each sideboard, "an Image and China flower 
Pot," two "Elegant Lustres," two candlestands, and 
two "Fire Skreens." On the walls hung the ornately 
framed engraving of Louis XVI sent by that monarch 
to the General, "2 large Gilt frame Pictures represent- 
ing falls of Rivers, 4 do. representing water Courses, 1 

do. Small 'Likeness of Gen. W n,' 4 Small Prints (1 

under each lamp), 1 Painting 'Moonlight,' 2 Prints 
'Death of Montgomery,' 2 do. 'Battles of Bunker Hill,' 
2 do 'Dead Soldier,' 1 likeness 'Saint John, and 1 do 
Virgin Mary." 

In the little parlor on the east front were a looking- 
glass, a tea table, a settee, ten Windsor chairs, a "Like- 
ness of Gen 1 . Washington in an Ovolo frame, do. 
La Fayette, do. Dr. Franklin"; prints representing 
Storms at Sea, the naval battle between the Bon 
Hwnme Richard and the Seraphis, "the distressed situa- 
tion of the Quebec &c.," the whale fishery at Davies 
Streights, another of the Greenland Streights, and nine 



MOUNT VERNON 229 

gilt frames containing "the likenesses of a Deer," 
"Painted likeness of an Alloe," "wrought work conte. 
chickens in a basket," and six other different paintings. 

In the front or west parlor were eleven mahogany 
chairs, a tea table, a "Sopha, 1 Elegant looking-glass," 
three lamps and two mirrors, five china flower pots, 
three portraits of the General, two of Mrs. Washington, 
other portraits of Mr. Law, Mrs. Lear, George Washing- 
ton LaFayette, Nellie Custis, John and Martha Custis as 
children, Martha when grown, and one of I^aFayette and 
his family, all in gilt frames. 

Apart from the tea table, "2 dining tables," a mahog- 
any sideboard, an Ovolo looking-glass, " 1 large case " and 
"2 knife cases," and ten mahogany chairs, the Dining 
Room contained " 1 large gilt frame print the death of 
the Earl of Chatham, 1 do. Gen 1 . Woolfe, 1 do. Penns 
Treaty with Indians, 1 do. David Rittenhouse, 1 do D r 
Franklin, 1 do Gen 1 Washington, 1 do Gen'l Greene, 1 
do America, 1 do Gen 1 . Fayette on Closusion [Con- 
clusion?] of the late war, 1 do Gen 1 . Wayne, 1 do the 
Washington family of Mount Vernon, 1 do Alfred visit- 
ing his noblemen, and 1 do do dividing his loaf with the 
Pilgrim." 

The room opposite the East Parlor was furnished as a 
bedroom with bedstead, small table, looking-glass, and 
four mahogany or walnut chairs. In a gilt frame on the 
wall hung "a battle fought *by Cavalry." 

There were fourteen mahogany chairs in the Passage, 
or Central Hall, an "Image" over the door into each of 
the four adjoining rooms, a "Spye Glass" through which 
the General and his guests observed the life on the 
Potomac, a thermometer which may have been the one 



230 MOUNT VERNON 

recommended l>y "Doctor Priestly or Mr. Madison," 
the "Key of the Bastille with its Representation," and 
prints of Diana deceived by Venus, Dancing Shepherds, 
Morning, Evening, the River Po, Constantine's Arch, 
and the General himself. Along the wall of the stairway 
ascending to the second floor were other prints of 
Musical Shepherds, Moonlight, Thunderstorm, the 
Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Death of Montgomery. 
In the upper passage a looking-glass is the sole object 
enumerated. 

The details of one bedroom, the General's, will serve 
for all: "Bed, Bedstead & Curtains," a looking-glass 
which was the least expensive in the house, dressing 
table, one writing' table and chair, an easy chair, two 
other mahogany chairs, the only clock listed in the in- 
ventory, a chest' of drawers, six paintings of the members 
of Mrs. Washington's family, five small drawings, 
pictures of the Countess of Huntington, General Knox, 
"A Parson," and five other small pictures. In the 
adjoining "closet" were one mahogany and two leather 
trunks and a washbasin valued at fifty cents. 

There were carpets in all the rooms, likewise "Irons, 
Shovel, Tongs and Fender." In the passage outside 
the General's room there were "3 Pictures nailed In the 
house" In the "Garret" the inventory accounts for 
"two furnished bedrooms and the Lumber Rooms," in 
which were furniture, trunks, chests, pictures, fire 
screens, a side saddle, hooks, a wanning pan, "2 
Surveyors Machines," and "2 sets Platteaux" valued 
at one hundred dollars, probably the mirrors for the 
-late dining table. 

Among the interesting objects in the Study or Li- 



MOUNT VERNON 231 

brary were the General's Tambour secretary and its 
circular desk chair, two copying presses, numerous 
pistols, "7 Swords & 1 blade, 4 canes, 7 guns, 11 Spye 
Glasses, Trumbuls Prints, 1 Case Surveyors In- 
strum ts ., 1 Traveling Ink Case, 1 Globe, 1 Chest of 
Tools, 1 Compass staff, 1 Case Dentists Instrum ts ., 2 
Setts money weights, 1 Telescope, 1 Box Paints," 
Houdon's bust of the General, a plaster profile, two 
seals with ivory handles, his Masonic emblems, addi- 
tional surveying instruments, some Indian presents, 
and an iron chest containing securities, jewelry, medals, 
and a variety of other things, including a portrait of 
Lawrence Washington. 

The inventory contains a list of the books in Wash- 
ington's library, but it is full of inaccuracies. More- 
over, it does not furnish satisfactory material for a 
study of Washington's taste in reading, for the books 
represent his selection only in part. Many were gifts, 
and some he subscribed to for various motives other 
than original interest in the subject matter. The list 
includes about eight hundred titles. It is interesting to 
observe that the books on all other than agricultural 
topics were in the cases behind glass. The books on farm- 
ing, however, were "on the table," where the General 
could reach them handily. This subject formed the 
principal and almost the only topic of his reading. 

Washington's letters to Lear disclosed the parlor as 
having been furnished in blue. An investigation* of the 
walls and woodwork of the passage and the upper 
rooms, made in 1897, revealed other interesting facts 
about the interior color scheme of the house. The side- 

*Report of C. Mellon Rogers, Architect, of Philadelphia. 



232 MOUNT VERNON 

wall panels, the ceiling, and the stair-skirting were a 
delicate French gray, almost a robin-egg blue. The 
doors, trim, door-heads, chair rail, washboard, win- 
dows, stair-skirting battons, and cornice were painted 
ivory white with a china gloss finish. 

The wall of the stairway leading to the second floor 
was made of "a buff or yellow mortar," in some places 
white coated. The walls of the river bedroom on the 
north side of the upper hall were originally gray with 
mantel and other woodwork in white, which was also 
the color treatment of the bedroom over the family 
dining-room. The walls of the General's bedroom were 
gray, the mantel was white, the washboard was stained 
and varnished. 

After the General's death Mrs. Washington found 
herself confronted with a problem in the slaves on the 
estate. They gave the gravest concern. Washington 
would gladly have freed his slaves, but the situation 
was complicated by their intermarriage with the dower 
slaves whom he could not free. They came to Mount 
Vernon by his marriage with the widow of Daniel 
Parke Custis, to whose heirs they reverted by law. Re- 
garding his slaves his will said : 

"Upon the decease of wife it is my will and desire, 
that all the slaves which I hold in my own rigid shall 
receive their freedom — To emancipate them during her 
life, would tho earnestly wished by me, be attended with 
such insuperable difficulties, on account of their inter- 
mixture by marriages with the Dower negroes as to 
excite the most painful sensations, — if not disagree- 
able consequences from the latter while both descrip- 



MOUNT VERNON 233 

tions are in the occupancy of the same proprietor, it 
not being in my power under the tenure by which the 

dower Negroes are held to manumit them And 

whereas among those who will receive freedom accord- 
ing to this devise there may be some who from old age, 
or bodily infirmities & others who on account of their 
infancy, that will be unable to support themselves, it is 
my will and desire that all who come under the first 
and second description shall be comfortably clothed 
and fed by my heirs while they live and that such of the 
latter description as have no parents living, or if living 
are unable, or unwilling to provide for them, shall be 
bound by the Court . . . taught to read and write 
and to be brought up to some useful occupation." 

Mrs. Washington's grandson, and a member of the 
family at the time, says in his memoirs that "the slaves 
were left to be emancipated at the death of Mrs. Wash- 
ington; but it was found necessary (for prudential 
reasons) to give them their freedom in one year after 
the General's decease." Some light may be thrown on 
this statement by the remarks of Edward Everett Hale, 
who in his eightieth year, in 1902, said: 

"I have been assured by gentlemen who lived in 
northern Virginia that the universal impression there 
was that the slaves of the Washington plantation hur- 
ried Martha Washington's death because their own 
liberty was secured by Washington's will after her 
death. I do not believe that this bad statement can 
be authenticated, but there is no doubt, I believe, that 
Madison made a similar will liberating his slaves after 



234 MOUNT VERNON 

Mrs. Madison's death and that he changed his will on 
account of this rumor with regard to the Washington 
slaves." 

Martha Washington spent the remaining days of 
her life quietly at the mansion surrounded by her grand- 
children and great-grandchildren. Among the latter 
was a second daughter, christened Angela, born to 
Lawrence and Nellie Lewis at Mount Vernon in 1801. 
The days of gayety had passed. There was, however, 
a constant stream of visitors who came to view the 
scenes of Washington's domestic life and to lay their 
homage at his tomb; among them President Adams 
himself, who journeyed thither from Philadelphia. 

When Mrs. Washington, who sat at the foot of her 
husband's bed, was told that he was no more, she said in 
a plain voice: ' 'Tis well. All is over now. I have no 
more trials to pass through. I shall soon follow him." 
These prophetic words were realized a little more than 
two years later. In the early days of May, 1802, she 
was prostrated by a fever. She soon anticipated her 
end, took the sacrament from Mr. Davis, "sent for a 
white gown, which she had previously laid by for her 
last dress," and passed away on the L l"ld day of the 
month. The wooden door she had ordered for the tomb 
now swung aside for her, and she was laid to rest by 
the side of the great man whose partner she had been 
for forty years. 

Martha's death terminated her life interest in Mount 
Vernon. There now came into effect the clause in the 
General's will which bequeathed the main tract of 
more than four thousand acres between Dogue Creek 



-- 



MOUNT VERNON 235 

and Little Hunting Creek, "together with the Mansion 
House and all other buildings and improvements 
thereon," to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, son of 
John Augustine Washington, "partly in consideration 
of an intimation to his deceased father, while we were 
bachelors and he had kindly undertaken to superintend 
my estate, during my military services in the former 
war between Great Britain and France, that if I should 
fall therein, Mount Vernon . . . should become 
his property." 

The River Farm, that tract of two thousand and 
twenty-seven acres lying east of Little Hunting Creek, 
Washington bequeathed to the two sons of George 
Augustine Washington. The land included the farm 
of three hundred and sixty acres the use of which the 
General gave Tobias Lear for the latter's lifetime. To 
Lawrence Lewis he gave two thousand acres on the 
northwest side of the estate. 

There is a tradition that this disposition of Mount 
Vernon was a disappointment to Mrs. Washington, 
Nellie Custis, and her husband, Lawrence Lewis. 
Nellie had more than once indicated to him, the General 
said, that she and her husband would like "to settle 
in this neighborhood." Accordingly he wrote the 
newly married Lawrence that the two thousand acres 
off the northwest portion of his estate would become 
his under the will. It may be tradition errs in ascrib- 
ing disappointment to Mrs. Washington and her grand- 
daughter at the bequest of the Mount Vernon mansion. 
It may be that there was normal harmony between 
the General's relatives and his wife's relatives, but in 
the light of this tradition an apparent significance 



236 MOUNT VERNON 

attaches to the noticeable infrequency of the visits of 
Washington's next of kin to Mount Vernon, except on 
business, during Mrs. Washington's lifetime, and to 
the fact that not a single blood relative of Washington 
stood at his tomb when lie was placed within. 

By Lear's own account Mr. Law, Mr. Peter, and Dr. 
Stuart were notified by courier the evening the General 
died. Next day Lear enclosed notices to Judge Bush- 
rod Washington and Colonel William Washington, 
under cover to Colonel Blackburn, "desiring him to 
forward them by express." A slave, Caesar, was dis- 
patched to New Kent to notify G. W. P. Custis and 
Lawrence Lewis. A letter was sent to the post-office 
to John Lewis, "desiring him to give information to his 
brothers George, Robert & Howell, & to Capt. Sam'l 
Washington." No other relatives were notified. The 
information sent in this way could not have found any 
of these except the first three in time for them to reach 
Mount Vernon for the funeral, which was fixed for the 
fourth day after the General's death. 

Judge Bushrod Washington came to Mrs. Wash- 
ington's funeral, but tradition says that Lawrence and 
Nellie Lewis did not invite him to remain for refresh- 
ment, and before leaving his estate he asked a slave to 
prepare dinner for him, which he ate in a cabin. It 
has long been said in the neighborhood that when 
Lawrence Lewis settled at Woodlawn, the mansion he 
built on the tract his uncle bequeathed him, the re- 
lations between that house and Mount Vernon were 
visibly strained. 

The General, by his will, gave his widow a life interest 
in Mount Vernon and in everything that pertained to 





- z 



MOUNT VERNON 237 

it. The only bequest that he made to "her and her 
heirs forever" was that of "the household and kitchen 
furniture of every sort and kind with the liquors and 
groceries which may be on hand at the time of my de- 
cease, to be used and disposed of as she may think 
proper." Mrs. Washington, during her widowhood, 
made frequent gifts to her relatives of objects from 
the mansion. 

By her will she gave to her grandson, G. W. P. 
Custis, "all the silver plate of every kind, . . . to- 
gether with the two large plated coolers, the four small 
plated coolers with the bottle castors, a pipe of wine if 
there be one in the house at the time of my death — also 
the set of Cincinnati tea and table china, the bowl that 
has a ship in it, the fine old china jars which usually 
stand on the'chimney piece in the new room : also all the 
family pictures of every sort and the pictures painted by 
his sister, and two small skreens worked by his sister and 
the other a present from Miss Kitty Brown — also his 

choice of prints — also the two girandoles and 

lustres that stand on them — also the new bedstead which 
I caused to be made in Philadelphia together with the 
bed, matrass bolsters and pillows and the white dimity 
curtains belonging thereto: also two other beds with 
bolsters and pillows and the white dimity window cur- 
tains in the new room — also the iron chest and the desk 
in my closet which belonged to my first husband ; also all 
my books of every kind except the large bible and prayer 
book, also the set of tea china that was given me by Mr. 
Van Braam every piece having M W on it." 

To Nellie Custis Lewis she gave "the large looking 
glass in the front Parlour and any other looking glass 



238 MOUNT VERNON 

which she may choose — Also one of the new side board 
laities in the new room — also twelve chairs with green 
boi toms to be selected by herself also the marble table in 
the garret, also the two prints of the dead soldier, a print 
of the Washington family in a 1><>\ in the (land and the 
great chair standing in my chamber; also all the plated 
ware not herein otherwise bequeathed- — "and many other 
domestic articles. 

To her two other grandchildren she gave,— "my 
writing table and the seat to it standing in my chamber, 
also the print of Gen 1 . Washington that hangs in the 
passage" to Mrs. Peter, — "the dressing table and glass 
that stands in the chamber called the yellow room, and 
Gen 1 . Washington's picture painted by Trumbull" to 
Mrs. Law. "All the wine in bottles in the vaults" was 
ordered "equally divided between" her granddaughters 
and her grandson. 

Everything else in the mansion not specified in her 
will was ordered to be sold by the executors "for ready 
money" for the education of three of her nephews. 
This sale took place July 20, 1S(K>. Relatives of Gen- 
eral Washington were extensive purchasers, and it was 
in this way that they obtained such relics of Mount 
Vernon as they afterward possessed. 

When Bushrod Washington moved into the mansion 
he found it dismantled of all its objects which he did not 
buy in at the sale. No, there was one object which es- 
caped bequesl as well as sale. It had excited no one's 
interesl . By some irony of fate this object was the sole 
and only portrait of the man who, in the uncertainty 
which surrounds the fad, is generally believed l<> have 
built Mount Vernon house, who bequeathed it to his 



MOUNT VERNON 239 

much-loved young brother George, and was thereby the 
indirect instrument of its great fame. It is not a great 
work of art, but it has found appreciation since, and is 
now treasured by another Lawrence Washington, great- 
great-grandnephew of this one. 



CHAPTER XIX 

Career of Bushrod Washington — Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the United States — Estimates by Contemporaries — Mount 
Vernon and the English Fleet in 1814 — Battle off Bel voir 
— Rev. Charles O'Neill — Return of LaFayette — Death of 
Justice Washington — The Two John Augustine Washingtons 
— New Tomb — Reentombment of the General and Mrs. 
Washington — Other Burials — The Key Thrown into the 
Potomac. 

BUSHROD WASHINGTON, third Washington 
to own and to live in Mount Vernon Mansion, 
was the second child of John Augustine Wash- 
ington, who was a second younger brother of the 
General. He was born in Westmoreland County, Vir- 
ginia, June 5, 17G2. 

He graduated from the College of William and Mary 
in 1778, later joined the army, and was a private soldier 
under Mercer at Yorktown. In his twenty-second year 
he accompanied the General on his tour of western 
Pennsylvania, when they rode six hundred and eighty 
miles in thirty-four days, and he afterward received sub- 
stantial evidence that he was his Uncle George's favorite 
nephew. Bushrod chose the law as his profession and 
by the influence of his uncle he was admitted to study in 
the office of James Wilson of Philadelphia, later one of 
the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. 
He began to practise in his native Westmoreland, which 
he represented in the Virginia Assembly and also in the 
Virginia Convention which ratified the Constitution. 

no 



MOUNT VERNON 241 

Bushrod married Anne, daughter of Colonel Thomas 
Blackburn of Rippon Lodge, Prince William County, 
about twelve miles from Mount Vernon. There was no 
issue. As his country practice did not thrive, he moved to 
Alexandria; perhaps also to be nearer the Mount Vernon 
influence. Indeed he wrote the General asking to be 
appointed an attorney in the Federal Court, but learned 
that "nepotism was not one of his uncle's redeeming 
vices." He next established himself in Richmond and 
almost immediately became one of the leading members 
of the Virginia bar. His wife was an invalid, however, 
and he led a retired life, devoting his leisure to editing 
the Reports of the Virginia Court of Appeals between 
1790 and 1796. 

When Justice Wilson died President Adams reduced 
his choice of a successor to John Marshall and Bushrod 
Washington. "Marshall is first in age, rank and public 
service, probably not second in talents," the President 
wrote Mr. Pickering, his Secretary of State. "The 
character, the merits and abilities of Mr. Washington 
are greatly respected, but I think General Marshall 
ought to be preferred; of the three envoys [to France] 
the conduct of Marshall alone has been entirely satis- 
factory, and ought to be marked by the most decided 
approbation of the public. He has raised the American 
people in their own esteem, and if the influence of truth 
and justice, reason and argument is not lost in Europe, 
he had raised the consideration of the United States in 
that quarter of the world. If. Mr. Marshall should de- 
cline, I should next think of Mr. Washington." Mar- 
shall did decline, and Bushrod Washington became an 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, December 20, 



242 MOUNT VERNON 

1798, in his thirty-sixth year, succeeding his own learned 
preceptor. 

Justice Washington is described as a small man, with 
an emaciated frame and a countenance like marble. 
Though his fame was overshadowed by his illustrious 
uncle, he was undoubtedly a man of parts. He 
specialized in commercial and Nisi Prius law, and Jus- 
tice Binney said of him that he was "as accomplished a 
Nisi Prius judge as ever lived. I cannot conceive a 
better. ... I do not believe that even he [Lord 
Mansfield] surpassed him." Judge Hopkinson and 
David ^Paul Brown made equal estimates of his abil- 
ities. 

Justice Story reviewing the partiality shown Bush- 
rod Washington by his uncle in bequeathing him Mount 
Vernon, his private and public letters and papers and 
his library, and in making him executor of his will, 
said: "Such marks of respect from such a man, — the 
wonder of his own age, and the model of all future ages, — 
would alone stamp a character of high merit, and solid 
distinction, upon any person. They would constitute 
a passport to public favour, and confer an enviable rank, 
far beyond the records of the herald's office, or the 
fugitive honors of a title. ... He was as worthy 
an heir as ever claimed kindred with a worthy ances- 
tor. . . . Few men indeed have possessed higher 
qualifications for the office, either natural or acquired. 
. . . His mind was solid, rather than brilliant; 
sagacious and searching, rather than quick or eager; 
steady, but not unyielding; comprehensive, and at the 
same time cautious; patient in inquiry, forcible in con- 
ception, clear in reasoning. He was, by original tern- 



MOUNT VERNON 243 

perament, mild, conciliating, and candid; and yet he 
was remarkable for his uncompromising firmness." 

He was a man of few activities apart from his atten- 
tion to his duties on the Supreme Bench. He was, how- 
ever, the first President of the American Colonization 
Society, which sought to transfer negroes from the 
United States to colonize the little Republic of Liberia, 
and in his later years he edited the Reports of the 
United States Circuit Court of the Third District, 1803 
to 1827. 

Justice Washington'senforced presencein Philadelphia, 
during many of the years of his ownership of Mount 
Vernon, afforded him brief intervals to retire to his estate. 
Whenever he was there he dispensed a modest and 
graceful hospitality to the great number of visitors who 
came to view the home and tomb of his uncle. Among the 
happy incidents of his occupancy of the mansion were 
the occasional dinners which he and his wife gave to 
the Chief Justice and his Associate Justices of the 
Supreme Court. 

Apprehension for Mount Vernon again seized the 
people during the second war with Great Britain, 
when, on August 24, 1814, the British fleet sailed up the 
Potomac. Instead of attacking and destroying Mount 
Vernon, as anticipated, it is said Captain Gordon of the 
Royal Navy caused the seven vessels of his fleet to fire 
salutes as they came abreast. Almost immediately 
thereafter, and in sight of the mansion, Fort Washington, 
on the site of Mr. Digges' Warburton Manor lands, 
surrendered without a shot to the astonished Eng- 
lish. 

When the enemy returned from the plunder of Alex- 



244 MOUNT VERNON 

andria, however, they bore away a different tale of 
Mount Vernon neighborhood. Two batteries under 
Commodore David Porter and Commodore Oliver II. 
Perry engaged the retreating ships from the Virginia 
shore, following their passage down river. They 
crossed the western end of Mount Vernon estate and 
took up a position on Belvoir heights. As the English 
ships passed there was a spirited engagement. But 
this naval battle fought in sight of Mount Vernon was 
overwhelmingly onesided. The land batteries were of 
small calibre and the guns were outnumbered many 
times over by those on the ships. 

Of a more peaceful nature were the visits to Mount 
Vernon of the Rev. Charles O'Neill, rector of rejuve- 
nated Pohick Church, recounted by Bishop Meade, then 
rector of Christ Church, Alexandria, where Justice 
and Mrs. Washington worshipped: "The families at 
Mount Vernon and Rippon Lodge were fond of him. 
He always spent his Christmas at Mount Vernon, and 
on these occasions was dressed in a full suit of velvet, 
which General Washington left behind, and which 
had been given to Mr. O'Neill. But as General Wash- 
ington was tall and well proportioned in all his parts, 
and Mr. O'Neill was peculiarly formed, being of un- 
common length of body and brevity of legs, it was 
difficult to make the clothes of one even though altered 
sit well upon the other." 

General the Marquis de LaFayette, accompanied by 
his son, George Washington LaFayette, crossed the 
Atlantic once more, in 1824, for a tour of America as 
the nation's guest, and he came again to Mount Vernon 
to refresh his souvenirs and lay his homage at the tomb 



MOUNT VERNON 245 

of his chief and friend. It was a pilgrimage of much 
state though of simple ceremonial. 

Bushrod Washington possessed Mount Vernon for 
twenty-seven years. The only impress of his owner- 
ship which survives on the mansion is the porch which 
he built on the southwest end outside the library win- 
dows. In erecting this porch he tore away the shelter 
over the steps descending into the cellar, similar to the 
shelter which survives at the northeast cellar door. 

Justice Washington's health began to fail in the 
autumn of 1829, and he died while attending court in 
Philadelphia, November 26th, of that year. His wife 
died a few days later, of grief it is said. They were 
buried side by side in the family vault at Mount Vernon. 

In his will Justice Washington divided that portion 
of the original estate which he had inherited from his 
uncle, the General, among his own nephews and a niece, 
Mary Lee Washington, daughter of his brother Corbin, 
who was married to Noblet Herbert in the mansion in 
1819, and is buried within the vault. The mansion and 
a large tract surrounding, including the river front, he be- 
queathed to John Augustine Washington, third child of 
his brother Corbin. 

This John Augustine Washington was born at Walnut 
Farm, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, about 1792. 
He married Jane Charlotte, daughter of Major Richard 
Scott Blackburn, of the United States Army, in 1814, 
and they lived at Blakeley, in Jefferson County, then 
Virginia, now West Virginia. There five children were 
born to them, of whom two died in infancy. On the 
death of his Uncle Bushrod, John Augustine moved with 
his family to Mount Vernon and proposed to make the 



246 MOUNT VERNON 

cultivation and improvement of the estate his chief 
business in life. He died in 1832, however, and was 
buried in the vault, after only a little more than two 
years' ownership of the estate, which he bequeathed 
to his widow. 

Jane Washington seems to have been a woman of 
character and resources. With such aid as she could 
command she kept her young family about her — her 
eldest son was only eleven years old — and applied her- 
self to carry on her husband's work. What a burden 
it must have been to her can be little realized by those 
who have not staggered under the tax, in time and 
entertainment, of the proprietorship of one of the most- 
frequented patriotic shrines in the world. 

John Augustine, Jane's eldest boy, was his mother's 
main dependence, and within a few years he is found 
shouldering responsibilities in the management of the 
place. Soon after Bushrod Washington's death the green- 
house next the flower gardens burned, which explains an 
allusion in a letter of November 10, 1837, to John Au- 
gustine from his mother: 'The portico and pavement 
round the House at Mount Vernon should be immedi- 
ately laid — many of the flagstones are broken and much 
defaced there are more than eno' to replace them in the 
Burnt Hot house, the rubbish must be removed & have 
them carefully taken up." 

Jane "Washington lived at Mount Vernon until 1843. 
In February of that year John Augustine was married 
to Eleanor Love Selden of Exeter, Loudoun County, 
Virginia. His mother then retired to her other estate, 
Blakeley, in Jefferson County. She transferred Mount 
Vernon Mansion and about twelve hundred acres of 




Jane Washington and Members of Her Family 

From left to right: her daughter Anna Maria Washington; her son, Richard Black- 
burn Washington; her husband's nephew, Noblet Herbert; and her son John 
Augustine Washington, last private owner of Mount Vernon. From a paint- 
ing by John Gadsby Chapman in the possession of Lawrence Washington 



MOUNT VERNON 247 

surrounding land to him by deed of gift in 1850, which 
gift she confirmed in her will. 

To this John Augustine, last Washington to own 
Mount Vernon, and Eleanor his wife, were born seven 
children: Louisa Fontaine, 19 February, 1844; Jane 
Charlotte, 26 May, 1846; Eliza Selden, 17 July, 1848; 
Anna Maria, 17 November, 1851; Lawrence, 14 Janu- 
ary, 1854; Eleanor Love, 14 March, 1856; and George, 
22 July, 1858. All were born in Mount Vernon Man- 
sion except Eliza, and they were the last children born 
there. 

The years of Jane Washington's residence at Mount 
Vernon made little history for the estate apart from 
the notable events of 1831 and 1837, the years which 
saw the realization of the General's wish expressed in 
this item of his will : 

"The family Vault at Mount Vernon requiring re- 
pairs, and being improperly situated besides, I desire 
that a new one of Brick, and upon a larger scale, may 
be built at the foot of what is commonly called the 
vineyard enclosure, — on the ground which is marked 
out. — In which my remains, with those of my deceased 
relatives (now in the Old Vault) and such others of 
my family as may chuse to be entombed there, may be 
deposited." 

In the thirty-odd years since his death, the proposal 
to move his remains from Mount Vernon to Wash- 
ington City was twice agitated. During Martha Wash- 
ington's widowhood President Adams requested that 
her husband's ashes might be brought to the national 
Capital. She consented, but the project was not pur- 
sued. Again in 1832, when the nation celebrated the 



248 MOUNT VERNON 

centennial of Washington's birth, Congress renewed 
the request to the Washington family and a platform 
was prepared for his sarcophagus in the crypt under- 
neath the centre of the dome of the Capitol of the 
United States. lint it remains untenanted to-day, 
and the General reposes in the quiet of his beloved 
Mount Vernon, as his relatives refused to give a per- 
mission contrary to the desire expressed in his will. 

It was a vandal's effort, happily futile, to steal the 
body of Washington from the old tomb, which stirred 
Lawrence Lewis and G. W. P. Custis, surviving exec- 
utors under the General's will, to fulfil his desire. 
This was about 1830. Already the damp condition 
of the old tomb, smothered under the dense foliage of 
trees which grew above it and shot their destructive 
roots through its roof and walls, had three times de- 
stroyed the wooden casings of the General's leaden 
casket. In 1831 the new tomb was completed and 
into it all the remains of the deceased members of the 
Washington family in the old vault were at once moved. 

When, the next year, the proposal to remove Wash- 
ington and his wife to the United States Capitol was 
agitated, John Struthers, of Philadelphia, asked and 
received permission to present sarcophagi for their 
bodies, which he proceeded to chisel from solid blocks 
of marble. When the effort was finally abandoned and 
it became certain that Washington's wish to remain 
at Mount Vernon would be respected, Mr. Struthers 
presented the sarcophagi to the Washington family for 
live in the family vault. 

Attention was called to the fact that the marble 
would discolor and perhaps decay in the damp and 



MOUNT VERNON 249 

darkness behind the iron door of the vault. It was 
then decided to build the vestibule that the marble 
caskets might have air and light. This was completed 
in 1837, when the remains of George and Martha Wash- 
ington were sealed in the marble sarcophagi in the 
places where they have since rested in the open vestibule 
before the vault. 

On this occasion a delegation headed by Henry Clay 
drove to Mount Vernon from the Capital and joined 
Lawrence Lewis, his son Lorenzo Lewis, John Augustine 
Washington, his mother Jane Washington, the Rev- 
erend Mr. Johnson and his wife, and others in the 
informal but solemn ceremonial of reentombment. 

A circumstantial story has been published that the 
leaden casket was opened, that Washington's face was 
looked upon by those present, and that his features 
were little changed. "I believe this to be untrue," 
said Mr. Lawrence Washington to the writer. "The 
late Mr. Richard B. Washington told me that the 
leaden casket was not opened. He was present and 
about fifteen years old. He said there was a small 
circular hole immediately over the face, through which 
several persons attempted to look on Washington's 
face, and some of them claimed that they saw it, but 
that he on attempting to look through the hole could 
see nothing. I am aware that Strickland's account is 
very circumstantial, but my uncle did not hesitate to 
denounce it as false." 

The marble receptacles are severely plain. That of 
Washington has on its upper surface a sculptured 
device in high relief representing the eagle above the 
American shield against a drapery of the Flag of the 



250 MOUNT VERNON 

Union. Beneath tins is the single word " Washington." 
Martha's has carved on its upper surface the words, 
- * Martha, Consort of Washington," and, on the up- 
right surface at the end, "Died May 21, 1801, aged 
71 years." This is obviously erroneous. Martha 
Washington died the 22d day of May, in the year 1802.* 
After the entombment in 1837 there were seven other 
burials at Mount Vernon — four within the vault and 
three in the ground on the southeast side. The first of 
these was Lawrence Lewis. After Martha Washington's 
death, Lawrence and Nellie built Woodlawn Mansion, 
three miles northwest of Mount Vernon house, on the su- 
perb site which the General bequeathed his nephew. It is 
one of the stateliest houses in Virginia, built of brick 
throughout, in the Georgian style, and its pillared 
portico overlooks the Potomac down the length of 
Dogue Creek, all of the original acres of Mount Vernon, 
and a long stretch of lovely valley to the north. The 
Lewises continued to live at W r oodlawn until the early 
thirties, when they moved to Audley, another estate of 
theirs in Clarke County, near the Shenandoah. Law- 
rence died November 20, 1839, and is buried in the 
vault at Mount Vernon. Their daughter Angela, Mrs. 
Conrad, died at Pass Christian, Mississippi, in 1839, 
according to the shaft above her grave, and John 
Augustine Washington's diary says that on July 10, 
L843, her body "and that of her child were buried near 
the new vault." Mrs. Lewis survived her husband 
thirteen years. She died at Audley, July 15, 1852, and 
was brought to Mount Vernon and buried near her 

•Since the t--\t above was written the date on Martha Washington's sarcopha- 
gus has been corrected. 




.2 & 



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MOUNT VERNON 251 

daughter and granddaughter at the side of the 
vault. Her brother, G. W. P. Custis, died October 10, 
1857, and is buried at Arlington. Of two of the others to 
be admitted to the vault at Mount Vernon one was 
Mary Lee Washington Herbert, who died in 1852. Mr. 
Washington's diary records the other burial there on 
April 16, 1842: "Reverend Mr. Johnson had the body 
of his child placed in the vault." The father of this 
child was the Rev. W. P. C. Johnson, who married a 
Miss Washington of Mount Zephyr. 

Jane, mother of the last Washington to own Mount 
Vernon, passed away at Blakeley, her home in Jefferson 
County, in the year 1855. She was brought to Mount 
Vernon and placed near her husband in the vault. 

On that occasion John Augustine Washington entered 
in his diary, under date of September 10, 1855, these in- 
valuable memoranda (see next page) of the positions of the 
persons buried in the vault, omitting unfortunately to in- 
dicate the bodies marked C, D, E, and F in his diagram, 
though sequence would seem to determine them: 

"We buried my mother in the vault at Mount Vernon 
— as she desired, at my father's feet. The bodies buried 
there lie as follows. The first body inside the door of the 
inner vault is Major Lawrence Lewis (marked A. in the 
subjoined diagram). The second B. is my mother. 
Then at right angles to these with their feet to them are 
Judge Bushrod Washington marked [blank]. His wife 
Ann Washington My father John Augustine Washington 
marked [blank] and his sister Mary Lee Herbert marked 
[blank]" 

A tradition has lingered about Mount Vernon that, 



252 MOUNT VERNON 

<w' #T f^/*~v~ /-**■-<*" * /^***~ *^*' /^^t- sKW ffu-4'L++3~ 




\^wj\A B t=?* 



cn***z\- 1v-<uh 



i\ wtefl]/] 



f b i 



fu**./* fail *+*yU /*»/A*vt. /T*W '»* M^Aj/^h, 

Extract from the Diary of John Augustine Washington, last private owner of 
Mount Vernon, under dul« of .September 10, 1H.")J 



MOUNT VERNON 253 

after the burial of Mrs. Jane Washington, the tomb was 
locked, the keyhole sealed with the little metal plate 
which obscures it to-day, and the key was thrown into 
the Potomac. There seems to be no written history to 
corroborate this. However, oral confirmation is fur- 
nished by Thomas W. Buckey, a connection by marriage 
with John Augustine Washington's brother Richard, 
from whom he had these facts. 

One evening shortly after the burial of Jane Washing- 
ton a number of the Washington family were gathered in 
Mount Vernon Mansion, and talk turned on the crowded 
condition of the family vault. The discussion of what 
other members of the family should enjoy the dis- 
tinction of burial in the historic tomb disclosed so 
many claims that it was decided then and there that no 
one else should be buried therein, and to prevent it to 
throw the key into the river. To avoid responsibility 
for this radical act it was decided to draw lots. The 
obligation fell to Richard Washington, who at once took 
the key, went down the hill in the darkness, and with all 
his strength hurled the key far out into the Potomac. 

WTien this was repeated to Lawrence Washington, 
nephew of Richard Washington, he told the writer he 
had never heard it before, but added: "If Uncle Dick 
said so you can depend on it." 

John Augustine's ownership was notable in its ter- 
mination which saw the home of Washington pass from 
the precarious ownership of an individual to the more 
comprehensive and efficient care of a zealous national 
organization which sprang into being for this patriotic 
purpose. 



CHAPTER XX 

Mount Vernon Lands Diminish — Burden of a National Shrine 
— Neglect and Decay — Speculators — Vain Appeal for Gov- 
ernment Purchase — Ann Pamela Cunningham Organizes 
the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union — Con- 
tract for Purchase — Campaign for Funds — Edward Everett's 
AVork — Possession Given — Restoration Begun — During the 
War — Regents, Superintendents, and Other Officials. 

THE maintenance of Mount Vernon on the scale 
established by General Washington was only 
possible for a man of his other resources. When 
he died he owned, besides the eight thousand acres on or 
near Dogue Creek and Little Hunting Creek, other land 
and chattels which he estimated to be worth five 
hundred and thirty thousand dollars. He directed that 
these possessions be sold and the proceeds be divided in 
twenty-three parts. His will named twenty-three or 
more of his sister's and brothers' children, and the four 
grandchildren of Mrs. Washington, who received each 
at most one twenty-third part. This bequest, generous 
as it was, made none of the recipients wealthy. 

When Mount Vernon passed to Bushrod Washington 
its yielding acres were diminished more than two-thirds. 
The owner was wholly without the western landed do- 
main of his uncle from which strip after strip had been 
sold to realize the capital needed to support his seat on 
the Potomac. Each subsequent transfer of Mount 
Vernon saw the boundary lines draw in. The last 

254 



MOUNT VERNON 255 

private owner, John Augustine Washington, had about 
twelve hundred acres. As the owners of the mansion 
saw their lands diminish, they saw the obligations at- 
tached to its ownership increase by leaps and bounds. 
Fifty years after his death Washington's fame and the 
patriotic curiosity to see his home and tomb had grown 
to such proportions that it was not possible any longer 
for the owners to live there with privacy or without 
bankruptcy. In spite of their devotion to the sacred 
spot it became a burden they could not any longer bear. 

Year after year saw the place fall farther and farther 
into neglect and decay. Justice Washington was ab- 
sent on the bench nearly all the twenty-seven years of 
his ownership. His nephew and heir, John Augustine, 
survived him less than three years. The widow of John 
Augustine struggled bravely with the heavy burden, 
and finally, when her eldest son, John Augustine, mar- 
ried in his twenty-second year, she handed the estate 
over to him and fled with relief to a remote home in the 
mountains on the western edge of the state. 

In addition to tourists from Europe and all parts of 
the world, every one in public life in Washington City 
felt privileged to come and to send his friends and 
visiting constituents with letters of introduction. 
Among his father's and grandmother's papers the sur- 
viving son of the last owner has an astonishing number 
of letters from members of the antebellum Senate, 
House, Supreme Court, and Cabinets asking attention 
for the bearers. Hospitality directed that they have 
not merely the liberty of the house and grounds, but 
substantial entertainment as well. It was not then an 
easy hour's ride on the wings of electricity. The 



256 MOUNT VERNON 

journey was made in a primitive slow river steamer or in 
carriages over precarious roads. 

Bushrod's heir foresaw that Mount Vernon would 
eventually ruin any member of the family who under- 
took to wring a living from its well-worn acres and re- 
mained to meet the tide of visitors with open house 
and open-handed hospitality, which is the tradition of 
the planters. In his will he wisely included permission 
for his heirs to sell to the national government. The 
mansion and estate reached his son in a depleted and 
ruined state. Had he the means to restore it to its 
original condition it would have required an annual 
fortune to keep it in repair, under the normal wear and 
tear of pilgrims, and to maintain a corps of guards 
against the idle, conscienceless visitors who not merely 
stole but destroyed to bear away souvenirs of the great 
shrine. 

As early as 1848 speculators were keen to acquire the 
home and tomb of the first President. His great- 
grandnephew knew better than any one else how many 
and how keen they were, and he refused at great sacri- 
fice to allow the estate to drift into speculative' hands. 
At one time he was offered three hundred thousand 
dollars for the house and one thousand acres. At an- 
other time he refused two hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars for the house and two hundred and fifty acres. 
Mr. Washington was not holding Mount Vernon pri- 
marily for a high price. He had a proper sense of its 
speculative value but he had also a proper and a higher 
sense of its patriotic national quality, and for this 
reason he withheld it that the United States Govern- 
ment or the State of Virginia might own and care for it. 




Ann Pamela Cunningham 

Founder and First Regenl of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union. 
From a portrait which hung for nearly twenty years in the Family Dining- 
room at Mount Vernon, and now hangs in the Senate Chambers of 
the Capitol of South Carolina. From a painting by Stolle 



MOUNT VERNON 257 

At one time he offered to let either the state or the 
national government take Mount Vernon at its own 
price. Both refused. So far as governmental ap- 
preciation, national or state, were concerned, the home 
of the immortal First Citizen went begging. 

Mount Vernon seemed doomed to decay and per- 
haps to disappear. That fate overtook many of the 
famed mansions intimately associated with Washing- 
ton's life, which their builders raised, not as he did in 
perishable wood, but in enduring brick. Mount Vernon 
survived Wakefield, where Washington was born; 
Greenaway Court about which as a young man he made 
his early surveys under the friendly eye of old Lord 
Fairfax; the White House, scene of his wedding festivi- 
ties; Mr. Digges' Warburton Manor, and the Fairfaxs' 
Bel voir in sight of his own front door; nearby Hollin 
Hall of another neighbor, Thomson Mason; and Council- 
lor Carter's Nomini Hall where he was a frequent 
visitor. 

But, more enduring than the work of man's hand was 
custom, the work of his heart. By day and by night, as 
the boats sped along the Potomac past the tomb of 
Washington, their bells tolled in memory of the de- 
parted liberator who lay asleep beneath the trees on the 
hillside. Many heard but only one responded. Jour- 
neying up the river one night in the year 1853, a South 
Carolina woman was moved by the solemnity of the toll- 
ing bell, by the decay she knew of in spite of the softening 
moonlight and by the tales of the neglect of govern- 
ment, to a plan for the salvation of Mount Vernon. 
Her inspiration was to place the work of rescue in the 
hands of the women of America. This was a bolder proj- 



258 MOUNT VERNON 

ect then than now. Feminine activity was undignified 
not to say unorganized. She confided the idea to her 
daughter, who seized it and became its standard-bearer. 
This was Ann Pamela Cunningham, founder and first 
Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the 
Union. 

Miss Cunningham possessed a strong will and in- 
domitable purpose in a frail body. But even when 
invalidism kept her off her feet she planned and wrote 
and exhorted in a truly remarkable manner. She 
began her crusade for funds to purchase Mount Vernon 
in December, 1853. For three years, though she was 
breaking the way, there was little tangible result. The 
organization was unincorporated and though some 
money was coming in it was inconsiderable in propor- 
tioti to the effort or to the whole amount required. 

At first Miss Cunningham reported that Mr. Wash- 
ington's reception of her plan was not wholly cordial, 
and this was wholly natural. The day of feminine 
efficiency had not arrived. Even Miss Cunningham 
operated under an incognito, as "The Southern Ma- 
tron," and was horrified when her own name appeared 
in an obscure journal. Moreover, the fact that she 
was an invalid did not inspire confidence in her ability 
to accomplish such a prodigious work. Her prop- 
osition to Mr. Washington was based on hope, ex- 
pectation perhaps, and promise; all at the time with- 
out substance. 

The idea had taken form, however, and the patriotic 
fervor of Miss Cunningham and her growing group of 
workers began to achieve results. The Assembly of 
the State of Virginia granted a charter to the Mount 



MOUNT VERNON • 259 

Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union on the seven- 
teenth day of March, 1856, which it revised by a further 
act of March, 1858. 

The governing body of the Association thereby con- 
sists of a Regent and the Grand Council made up of 
the Vice-Regents, who are appointed from each state 
in the Union. They serve without pay. By this 
charter it is provided that, should the Association fail 
in its work, Mount Vernon Mansion and land shall be 
taken over by the State of Virginia and held sacred to 
the purposes for which it was purchased from the Wash- 
ington family. The work of the ladies is surveyed 
once a year by a Board of Visitors appointed by the 
Governor and reporting to him. Mount Vernon is 
exempt from taxation, and the sum saved thereby is 
in effect Virginia's annual contribution to the work. 

On the incorporation of the Association Mr. Wash- 
ington at once entered into a contract with it for the 
sale of the mansion and two hundred and two acres of 
land immediately surrounding it for two hundred thou- 
sand dollars, giving four years during which to complete 
the payment. 

The agreement with the Washington heirs specified 
that they "shall at all times have and enjoy the right 
to inter the remains of such persons whose remains 
are in the vault at Mount Vernon as are not now in- 
terred, and to place the said vault in such a secure and 
permanent condition as he or they shall see fit, and to 
enclose the same so as not to include more than a half- 
acre of land, and the said vault, the remains in and 
around it, and the enclosure shall never be removed or 
disturbed, and that no other person hereafter shall ever 



260 MOUNT VERNON 

be interred or entombed within the said vault or en- 
closure." 

The campaign for funds was organized on the plan of 
dollar contributions, and every state responded to the 
call. The most notable individual assistance given 
the Association in its campaign for the purchase money 
came from the Honorable Edward Everett of Mass- 
achusetts. For four years he travelled from New 
England to the Mississippi and south into Georgia 
delivering his oration on the character of Washington 
and devoting the proceeds to the purchase fund. In 
addition he accepted the proposal of the editor of the 
New York Ledger to write one article each week for 
one year, for which ten thousand dollars was paid to 
the fund. In all, Mr. Everett, by tongue and pen, 
earned and donated to the purchase money needed to 
redeem Mount Vernon the sum of $68,294.54, more 
than one-third of the whole amount. 

The final payment on the purchase contract was made 
in December, 1859, and formal possession was given 
February 22, 1860. On the outbreak of the Civil 
War John Augustine Washington joined the Confed- 
erate Army and was given a commission as aide on 
General Robert E. Lee's staff, with the rank of Colonel. 
He was killed September 13, 1861, at Cheat Mountain, 
and was buried in a family burying ground at Charles- 
town, West Virginia. 

In the mansion at this time the only objects asso- 
ciated with the General's life there were the Key of the 
Bastille, the clay bust of Washington which Houdon mod- 
elled from life, a plaster bust of La Fayette, the old globe 
in the library, and some camp equipment. The owner 



MOUNT VERNON 261 

said that aside from papers, these were the only things 
which he possessed which had belonged to the General, 
and he presented them to the Association. 

Upton H. Herbert was the first resident superin- 
tendent for the Association, and the estate was placed 
under his care, and he began restorations a few months 
before possession was given. The mansion received 
first attention. The crumbling portico, whose roof 
was at the time supported in places by masts from the 
sailboats of the river fishermen, offered the most com- 
pelling opportunity; the tottering colonnades were 
strengthened and these and the mansion received the 
needed protection of paint. All the outbuildings near 
the house had survived but were in bad condition. 
They were all roofed in 1860. The walks and drives 
were cleared, the wharf was made practical, and a small 
steamer, the Thomas Collyer, was purchased and put 
in commission to carry visitors between Washington 
City and Mount Vernon. From this source the Asso- 
ciation received its first revenue. The work began to 
march, when suddenly the Civil War broke out, the 
steamer was confiscated for army transport service, in- 
terest in Washington's home was deflected, and rev- 
enue was almost totally cut off. 

There followed dark days for the courageous women 
who had undertaken the salvation of Washington's 
home, but they did not falter even in the face of war; 
they maintained the work, and improvements pro- 
gressed, though only by many individual sacrifices and 
contributions from the members' private savings, which 
some of them were little able to give. The pioneers 
remember with especial gratitude the substantial as- 



2G2 MOUNT VERNON 

sistance given in these days by George W. Riggs of 
Washington, for many years treasurer of the Associa- 
tion, who financed many an emergency. 

During the Civil War Mount Vernon was by spon- 
taneous consent of those on both sides of the great 
contest the only neutral ground in the country. Sol- 
diers were requested to leave their arms outside the 
gates, which they did, and men in blue and men in 
gray met fraternally before the tomb of the Father of 
their divided country. Mr. Herbert remained on the 
estate throughout the war and at its end said: "There 
was no effort to disturb the tomb or the place by 
troops on either side during that period." Which ad- 
mits the inference that it was a civilian relic hunter who 
passed the iron barrier before Washington's sarcoph- 
agus and broke off one of the talons of the eagle sculp- 
tured on its top, for this bit of vandalism was committed 
at this time. 

After the war the Association was so poor that it 
was unable to pay a superintendent's salary, and Miss 
Cunningham came in 1868 and lived at Mount Vernon 
and directed operations until her frail health broke 
down entirely in 1872. J. M. Hollingsworth then took 
up the work as resident secretary and superintendent. 
He remained in charge until May 30, 1885, and was 
succeeded by Harrison Howell Dodge who has held this 
same post more than thirty-one years. James Young came 
to assist Mr. Dodge as clerk in 1880, but he has been 
assistant superintendent and James Archer has been 
resident engineer since these offices were created in 
1890 and 1907, respectively. 

Since the death of the Founder of the Mount Vernon 




u 



P5 



« r£ 



^ B 



MOUNT VERNON 263 

Ladies' Association it has had three Regents: Mrs. Lily 
M. Berghman of Pennsylvania, who presided in council 
from 1873 until her death in 1891; Mrs. Justine Van 
Rensselaer Townsend of New York, who held the 
presiding office until 1909; and Miss Harriet C. Comegys 
of Delaware, who has held the office since that date. 

Miss Cunningham died May 1, 1875, at her home at 
Laurens, South Carolina, alittle over one year after resign- 
ing the office of Regent, which she had held from the birth 
of the Association. In her letter of resignation to the 
Council of Vice-Regents she left this declaration of 
purpose: "Ladies, the Home of Washington is in your 
charge; see to it that you keep it the Home of Wash- 
ington. Let no irreverent hand change it; no vandal 
hands desecrate it with the fingers of progress ! Those 
who go to the Home where he lived and died, wish to 
see in what he lived and died! Let one spot in this 
grand country of ours be saved from change! Upon 
you rests this duty." 



CHAPTER XXr 

Remaking the Home of George Washington— The Summer 
House — The Old Tomb — Deer Park — Gifts of Protective 
Lands — North Lodge Gates — Sea Wall — Garden, Screen, 
and Ha-Ha Walls — A Colonial Ruin Bought to Get Colonial 
Brick— Tunnelling to Prevent Mount Vernon from Slipping — 
Earliest Shingles Still Shelter the Mansion — Flagging from 
St. Bees — Precautions Extraordinary — If Mount Vernon 
Were Destroyed — Historic Relics — When Naval Vessels 
Pass the Tomb of the Father of His Country — A Symbol — 
The End. 

THERE have been two grand divisions in the life 
of Mount Vernon since the passing of the man 
who made it and made it famous. For sixty 
years it declined and decayed. Cedar and scrub pine 
possessed I lie neglected fields. The unregenerate honey- 
suckle caressed and then strangled everything its ten- 
tacles touched. Drives and paths lost their gravelled 
surface under matted wire grass. The unprotected 
palings of the garden fences rotted to the core, literally 
lost their heart, and tottered. Roof and column suc- 
cumbed to the corrosion of time and the elements; the 
dampened plaster lost its grasp and fell; and paradoxi- 
cally the heavy feel and meddling fingers of the thou- 
sands of pilgrims were hastening the disintegration of 
the shrine to which they came with worshipful pa- 
triotism. Once Haines raised their tongues and licked 
out one of the buildings, mercifully detached. Only 
by a seeming miracle has the frail old mansion, whose 

261 



MOUNT VERNON 265 

timber is tinder, been preserved from the annihilation 
by fire. 

Then came the patriotic women who took up the 
work government had repudiated, and the mantle of 
a new life spread over the place. For another period of 
almost sixty years restoration has been re-creating the 
home of Washington as he established and held it and 
loved it. 

The rooms of the mansion, the various outbuildings, 
and the special phases of work about the estate were 
apportioned among the Vice-Regents. Each had her 
share of the whole work of restoration which became her 
obligation and for which she gathered the funds. 

The efforts of the pioneer Regents had overmatched 
their first need, and when Mount Vernon was paid for 
there remained a balance of above twenty thousand 
dollars. This enabled them to begin repairs which 
would forestall disintegration, and to buy the steamer 
which would furnish further funds. At the end of the 
war which had deprived them of this revenue they 
fought for an indemnity, and a cautious Congress 
allowed them seven thousand dollars and directed its 
expenditure under army engineers. The sum went into 
a new wharf and into the digging of a channel for a 
larger boat. 

For the first twenty years after the war revenue was 
slight and the improvements were maintained in a large 
measure by contributions from the private purses of the 
ladies of the Association or by funds raised by their 
efforts. Indeed, until 1886, there was a desperate 
struggle to preserve rather than to restore. At the end 
of that period the mansion and outbuildings were placed 



266 MOUNT VERNON 

beyond the probability of destructive decay, and order 
was restored in the environing grounds. 

The summer house on the brow of the hill to the south 
of the mansion was rebuilt in 1886 with contributions 
from the school children of Louisiana. From this point 
Washington watched the schooners load and unload at 
his wharf, and here hung a bell which regulated the hours 
of labor on the estate. The deep cellar underneath was 
intended by the General for an ice-house, but it was 
abandoned for another in a more convenient locality 
north of the mansion. 

From the time that the bodies of Washington and 
other members of his family were removed in 1831 the 
old tomb was abandoned and allowed to decay. This 
spot so precious in association was reclaimed in 1887, by 
contributions from the State of Michigan, and restored 
as nearly as possible to the condition in which Wash- 
ington put it when he built it in pious fulfillment of 
his brother Lawrence's will. The capstone, inscribed 
"Washington Family," had been removed and was lost 
sight of for many years, It was discovered at Wood- 
lawn Mansion, worn by service as a carriage block, and 
was replaced in its ancient position. 

At the same time the smothered bluff before the man- 
sion was cleared, the rotted palings of the deer-park stock- 
ade were removed, and an iron fence replaced them and 
the enclosure was again stocked with deer, by the gener- 
osity of the sons of Mrs. Robert Cambell of Missouri. 

The amusement speculator was for many years a con- 
tinual menace to Mount Vernon. The rising ground on 
the north side of the mansion became the basis of a plan, 
in anticipatioo of the coining of the electric-car service 




P- c 



<j U CD 

a « « 

e "5 -^ 



2= S 



MOUNT VERNON 267 

to the estate, to establish a public resort there. In 1887 
Jay Gould of New York visited the national shrine and 
heard of this scheme. His sense of propriety as well as 
his sense of proportion grasped how essential this piece 
of land was to the ideal of those preserving Washington's 
home, and he bought thirty-three and a half protective 
acres and added them to the Association's holdings. 
Another gift of two acres on the west river front came 
from Christian Heurich of Washington City, in 1893, 
when an unhealthy swamp near the wharf was con- 
verted into a fertile meadow. This brought the landed 
holdings of the Association up to two hundred and 
thirty-seven and a half acres. 

The Masons and other patriotic citizens of Texas pro- 
vided the means to erect the North Lodge Gates when, 
in 1892, the electric railway established its terminus 
here. They are wholly new, but in spirit and architect- 
ural detail repeat bits from the General's own designs for 
other buildings on his estate. Another new feature, un- 
known there before, is the sea wall, extending along the 
river front, provided as "a necessary protection to the 
wooded shore against the wave wash during storms." 
It was built in the nineties and was the gift, as was the 
wharf -house erected in 1891, of Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst 
of California. The old wharf of pilings after generations 
of repairs was replaced in 1913 by the present permanent 
structure of cement. 

When Washington completed his comprehensive 
scheme of landscape gardening after the Revolution he 
used brick walls with liberality and with decided effect. 
They were of three kinds: the garden walls, the screen 
walls, and the ha-ha walls. The first was a formal part 



268 MOUNT VERNON 

of the plan of his buildings and grounds. They have 
withstood the wear of all the intervening years since. 
Even the decorative palings of the fences they support 
are in large part original. 

There is a different story to tell of the screen and 
ha-ha walls. The former were wholly utilitarian and 
masked the buildings north and south of the mansion 
from the lawn. They were in ruins and had in part dis- 
appeared when the restoration was undertaken in 1910. 
The ha-ha walls, so intimately a part of the grounds as 
to be invisible from the mansion, had almost dis- 
appeared. The north ha-ha wall was replaced in 1896, 
the south in 1910, and the west in 1915. In these works 
it was thought wise not to depend on the skill of modern 
brickmakers to imitate the effect of a century of wear and 
weather, so the bricks were bought and brought from the 
ruins of Thatcher Thornton's splendid old colonial man- 
sion, Society Hill, at the head of Upper Machodac Creek, 
an inlet on the Westmoreland shore of the Potomac, and 
they contributed harmoniously to the mellow tones of 
the original brick. The walls at Mount Vernon are re- 
produced to-day exactly as Washington planned and 
left them, except the boundary wall at the North Lodge 
Gate, which, though harmonious in design, is newly 
made necessary by conditions which the General did 
not anticipate. 

Washington declared the old tomb to be "improperly 
situated." The reasons thereof were the springs which, 
on an extensive stratum on the Virginia side of the 
Potomac, render the adjoining banks Liable to slides. 
Mount VernOD Mansion and the old tomb stand on a 
height which has been peculiarly susceptible to danger 



MOUNT VERNON 269 

from this source. Minor slides occurred at intervals. 
To forestall further danger the hill was, in 1904, tun- 
nelled by Mr. Archer's suggestion and under his direc- 
tion, and is now drained of twenty thousand gallons of 
water a day, an engineering feat as unique as it was suc- 
cessful in its preservative effect. 

In another way nature acts in time continually to 
change the conditions created and intended by Wash- 
ington. His plans for trees and vistas were precise as 
they were extensive. He left a mass of information in 
his diary and letters by which to re-create and preserve 
the arboreal environment he prepared. These have 
been followed in discounting the changing aspects of 
growth, but this problem was less difficult than to re- 
store the destructive influences of storm, insects, and 
decay. Washington built and planted with an eye to 
the vistas with which his estate naturally abounds. The 
weed trees which grew up and obscured these outlooks 
have been given the consideration which they merit, for 
the custodians of Mount Vernon subscribe to the land- 
scape artist's axiom that a view is more valuable than a 
tree. The custom of planting memorial trees near the 
tomb has been discontinued. 

The mansion was reshingled in 1913, for the first 
time in fifty-two years. This was a great event. The 
business of the repairs was approached as usual with an 
eye to preserving the identity of every detail. The old 
shingles were duplicated in North Carolina cypress 
from Lake Waccamaw, and hewed to the old samples. 
Tarpaulins were made to fit the roof, and their safe 
anchorage planned against high winds. As small a 
space as possible was opened at one time. Every night, 



270 MOUNT VERNON 

and during the day at any sign of "weather," the tar- 
paulins were battened down tight. AVhen the house 
was re-covered a stain reproduced the age and original 
tones of the old roof. 

In prying loose the shingles along the line where the 
portico's roof reaches up on to the mansion Mr. Dodge 
discovered that a whole section of shingles had been left 
in place underneath when the portico was restored in 
1860, a steeper pitch being given its roof at that time by 
extending it back on to the roof of the mansion to the 
sills of the dormer windows. Among these hidden 
shingles there proved to be valiant survivors of the 
course laid on when the mansion was first built. The 
elements had etched evidence on their sides which 
showed that they had been turned and twice exposed. 
Some of the original shingles were used when the man- 
sion was enlarged and re-roofed during the Revolution. 
It is authentic later tradition that the roof had not been 
touched since the old General's death until 1860. At 
that time the old shingles were left before the east dormer 
windows on that portion of the roof over which the 
portico roof extended. Hence it is an interesting fact 
that among the shingles on Mount Vernon to-day there 
are some which were placed there when the original 
villa was built. 

Another result of Mr. Dodge's research was the dis- 
covery of the quarry from which were cut the stone 
flaggings in the great portico pavement. The originals 
there have thinned nearly to the vanishing point. Frost 
destroyed the edging course of the flags first laid there 
by Lund Washington when the portico was erected 
during the Revolution, and the General included the re- 



MOUNT VERNON 271 

paving of his portico among his repairs after the war. 
After many disappointments the sandstone blocks 
which he placed there were matched two years ago in 
the ancient quarries whence he derived the original on 
the estate of Lord Lonsdale, at St. Bees Head, on the 
west coast of England near Whitehaven. A supply has 
been ordered in excess of that needed to repave the 
portico, and the reserve stock will be available should 
the source of these paving stones become exhausted. 

The interior of the mansion has known radical re- 
pair only in two instances. It is true that the underpin- 
nings have been made more nearly equal to the increased 
strain of the growing procession of visitors and that 
minor visible discrepancies have been corrected with 
finished skill, but the West Parlor and the Banquet Hall 
have demanded and received the more ambitious treat- 
ment. The harmonious condition of the panelling in 
the former room was the work of repair in 1879. The 
ceiling in this room remained intact as late as 1878 when 
it gave signs of loosening the hold it had kept for a full 
century. The design was drawn to scale, each of the 
twenty-eight hundred leaves radiating about the great 
circle were removed, a new ceiling laid on, and the dec- 
orations were reproduced in the original material. 

Foresight was less acute in the case of the ceiling in 
the Banquet Hall. It cracked and pieces fell in 1880. 
At that time it was merely patched. But the accident 
was repeated in 1884, and the year following saw the 
entire ceiling made new in detail identical with the 
original, the devices of husbandry therein being re- 
peated in the decorative effects of the capitals over the 
doors. 



272 MOUNT VERNON 

No fire, for cither light or heat, is permitted in the 
mansion. Visitors are admitted only during the hours 
of daylight. At five o'clock in summer and at four 
o'clock in winter the house is closed. During the winter 
months heat is of course necessary for the comfort of 
visitors. It is furnished by hot water brought from 
boilers detached and distant from the big house and is 
introduced in such an adroit manner as to make the 
means practically invisible. The fireplaces continue 
to give out heat as in the olden time, but from the un- 
seen coils in the gratings below the fire baskets. The 
hall or passage is heated by pipes concealed under the 
perforated supports of the stair treads. To these and 
other ingenious extremes does the care of Washington's 
home extend in the effort to preserve not merely its 
very existence, but its spirit as well, from modern 
device. 

There is but one recorded instance that the mansion 
has been threatened by fire. In his diary Washington 
wrote on January 5, 1788: "About Eight o'clock in the 
evening we were alarmed, and the house a good deal 
endangered by the soot of one of the Chimneys taking 
fire & burning furiously, discharging great flakes of fire 
on the Roof but happily by having aid at hand and 
proper exertion no damage ensued." 

Shortly after the death of Bushrod Washington fire 
destroyed the greenhouse and "Quarters" on the north 
side of the formal gardens, and they were restored be- 
tween 1894 and 189G.* A complete fire department 

* The West Quarters, adjoining the Conservatory, were restored by penny con- 
trihutions. aggregating over one thousand dollars, from the school children of 
Kansas. Tlic Kast Quarters were rebuilt with funds raised by the Vice-Regent for 
the State of New York. 



; 




MOUNT VERNON 273 

was installed in 1892. Fire drills are frequent and the 
various apparatus are subject to frequent inspection. 
In unison with the intention to disturb none of the 
colonial harmonies, the fire-fighting forces remain out 
of sight. A steam engine is kept at some distance from 
the buildings, but the main batteries of hose and the 
chemical engine are close at hand in a sunken well 
in the centre of the circle before the great front door. 
As an added precaution smoking is not allowed on the 
estate. Watchmen and guards patrol the big house and 
all the grounds by night as well as by day. 

If, in the last emergency, Mount Vernon were de- 
stroyed, its replica would rise in its place. Safely stored 
in fireproof vaults in the National Capital are architect- 
ural drawings of every building, with every conceivable 
detail of structure and decoration. With these are a 
great number of photographs of every aspect, inside 
and out, of the big house and its nest of buildings. 

It has been seen how General Washington's personal 
belongings and the contents of his home were dis- 
persed, first by his will, which removed only a few 
objects from Mount Vernon, then by Mrs. Washing- 
ton's gifts, and later her will, by which her grand- 
children came into possession of most of the furnishings 
of value, and finally after her death by the sale, in 1802, 
when the General's kinsmen bought many souvenirs 
of his home life. In 1848 Bushrod Washington's heirs 
offered for sale the bulk of their grand-uncle's library. 
When it appeared probable that this library would 
find an English purchaser and be removed from the 
country, a group of patriotic Americans arose in Mass- 
achusetts and paid a price which insured the sale to 



274 MOUNT VERNON 

them. The books were presented to the Boston 
Atheneum, where nearly all the original Mount Vernon 
library may l>e found to-day. 

The treasures which Martha Washington gave her 
grandson, George Washington Parke Custis of Arling- 
ton, and which adorned that mansion for over half a 
century, had many vicissitudes on the outbreak of the 
war. When Arlington was taken by the Federal troops 
some of the Washington relics had been removed to 
Ravensworth,tothe northwest in Fairfax County; others, 
left in the house, were removed to the Capital, where 
they were placed on exhibition. The national govern- 
ment after the war restored these articles to Mr. Custis' 
descendants, who have made some of the most valued 
contributions to the reassembling of the original furnish- 
ings of the historic mansion. 

Many other Mount Vernon treasures, in particular 
those which passed from Mrs. Washington through 
her granddaughter, Nellie Custis Lewis, to the Lewis 
family, and valued Washington documents and letters 
in the hands of the Washington co-lateral descendants 
of the General, were offered at public sales in Philadel- 
phia in the early nineties of the last century. It is 
from th<- purchasers at these sales that the Mount 
Vernon Ladies' Association obtained by purchase, gift, 
and loan others of the relics which are again in their 
original positions. 

The articles already mentioned as left in the house 
when tin" Washington family sold and gave possession 
of it were the nucleus of the later collection. Among 
them the mosl valuable treasure is the Houdon bust of 
Washington, mad',- in the house and never removed 



MOUNT VERNON 275 

therefrom. Perhaps because it is clay instead of 
marble, it seems to have excited no cupidity during 
the early distributions. 

Of highest historic interest is the bed on which Wash- 
ington died, which is in its original position in his bed- 
room over the library. Here, too, is the mahogany 
shaving-stand presented to the General by the first 
French Minister to this country; his military trunk 
quaintly curved and studded with brass nails, and a 
chair which stood in the room the night of his death. 

The "tambour desk" and chair which were be- 
queathed to Dr. Craik are again in the library, with his 
silver inkstand, snuffers and tray; and here is the Wash- 
ington family Bible containing the record of George 
Washington's birth and christening. A few books of 
the original library are back in place by the sides of 
many volumes which merely duplicate the originals. 

Four of the General's swords are home again, and 
after an absence of over a century the old crystal and 
wrought-iron lantern which Admiral Vernon sent Law- 
rence Washington hangs once more in the hall. Nearby 
is the veritable deed given by Lord Culpepper to 
Nicholas Spencer and John Washington for the tract 
on which Mount Vernon was later built. 

The one complete group in the mansion is that asso- 
ciated with the Vaughan mantel in the Banquet Hall. 
Here are the identical firedogs presented by LaFayette, 
the original rosewood pedestals, clock, candlesticks, 
vases, and wall lamps. Elsewhere in this room are 
the model of the Bastille which the Polish Gentleman 
found in the portico exposed to the elements and the 
vandal fingers of playful children; a mirror plateau 



276 MOUNT VERNON 

imported by Washington to adorn his dining table; a 
painting of the Great Falls of the Potomac; his gold 
watch, knee and shoe buckles, silver toilet articles, 
silver spectacles, needle book used at Valley Forge, 
spoons, punch bowl, champagne and other glasses, 
and additional souvenirs not only of the master of 
Mount Vernon but of its mistress and of Nellie Custis. 
In an adjoining parlor is the harpsichord which Wash- 
ington imported from abroad for Nellie and over which 
her stern grandmother kept her so many hours at 
tearful practice. 

In the dining-room are the sideboard, a sixteen- 
gallon wine chest and four wine decanters, a pair of 
pitchers, and the portrait of David Rittenhouse, which 
were all there in the General's day. Elsewhere are 
tables and chairs which Washington placed in the house 
and some of the identical pictures. But where the 
originals either of pictures or furniture could not be 
found or, being found, could not be secured, duplicates 
have as far as possible been installed, awaiting the 
proper means or the generous impulses which will 
restore the identical articles which Washington knew 
and used in his home. 

The whole aspect of the house is simple without 
severity and elegant without ostentation, representa- 
tive of the taste, dignity, and eminence of the great 
man whose environment has been reconstructed. The 
same is true of the exterior of the mansion and of the 
grounds. There is perhaps a trimness to the walks 
and a smartness to the cropped lawns and an absence 
of littered corners which even the old General could 
not have wrung from his shiftless slave labor. The 



><-ii \\ n n "i!S«' N i i L3. 







IWrn'i 



;; i mmm\ 

HliSf 



krRh 



Skeleton Model of Mount Vernon Mansion 

In the National Museum at Washington 
Above, the river front. Below, the west front from the north 



MOUNT VERNON 277 

young trees he planted and watched are now veteran 
giants, many with the deep scars of time and storms 
bound up in sustaining cement. But if the General 
were to return he would find surprisingly few changes, 
in the spirit of the place least of all. 

The ideal sought by the zealous patriots who have 
the custody of Washington's home is to maintain the 
environment which he created in the eighteenth cen- 
tury. So the restoration of Mount Vernon may be 
said to progress backward. But the cycle of fashion 
has played a paradoxical trick on the old place by mak- 
ing the new fashions in domestic landscape and archi- 
tecture those of the days when old Mount Vernon was 
new. 

Though it is the tomb of Washington, the place is 
instinct with life. The house is kept with the nice 
domestic simplicity that suggests the personal pres- 
ence of the master and mistress. The solemnity of 
death is only sensed when one stands uncovered be- 
neath the open sky among the trees before the reli- 
quary of all that is mortal of the immortal Washington, 
or not less poignantly when upon the broad Potomac 
one hears the unfailing requiem of the bell of every 
passing vessel. 

There is an order in the United States Navy by which, 
when ships of the service pass Mount Vernon between 
sunrise and sunset, a full guard and band is paraded, 
the bell is tolled, the colors are dropped to half-mast, 
the bugle sounds taps, the guard presents arms, and 
officers and men on deck stand at attention and salute 
as the ship passes the hallowed spot. 

This is but a symbol of the emotion which Mount 



2?S MOUNT VERNON 

\ ernon raises in the heart of every American, com- 
manding the attention and the salute of all lovers of 
liberty. It is not merely the home of Washington, 
living and dead, but it foeusses our ideals, and our glory 
as a people, in our one national shrine. 



THE END 



APPENDIX 

A— The Title to Mount Vernon. 

B — Table of General Washington's Visits to Mount 
Vernon While President. 

C — Tables of Those Born, Married, and Buried at 
Mount Vernon. 

D — Regents and Vice-Regents of the Mount Vernon 
Ladies' Association of the Union, Since Its Organi- 
zation. 



APPENDIX A 

The Title to Mount Vernon 

I. — Lord Culpepper to John Washington and Nicholas Spencer, 
1674, 5,000 acres, "in the ffreshes of Pottomeek River and neare 
opposite to Piscataway, Indian towne of Mariland," in Stafford 
County, Virginia. Later divisions of Stafford County placed this 
land in Fairfax County. The original document hangs in the hall 
at Mount Vernon. 

II. — George H. Jeffers to Nicholas Spencer and John Washington, 
1679, 5,000 acres. Grant, on record in Richmond. 

III. — John Washington bequeathed his half of the above land 
to his son, Lawrence Washington, by his will, 1677; recorded in 
Westmoreland County. 

IV. — A division of the above tract in 1690, recorded in Stafford 
County, by which Lawrence Washington received 2,500 acres, 
his half lying to the north and east on the river and Hunting Creek. 

V. — Lawrence Washington to his daughter Mildred, 2,500 acres 
as above, by his will, 1697; recorded in Westmoreland County. 
Mildred Washington married Roger Gregory. 

VI. — Mildred and Roger Gregory to her brother Augustine 
Washington, 2,500 acres as above, by deed, May 26, 1726; recorded 
in Westmoreland County 

VII. — Augustine Washington to his son Lawrence Washington, 
2,500 acres as above; deed recorded at a session of the General 
Court of Virginia, Williamsburg, October 28, 1740. 

VIII. — Augustine Washington confirmed above grant to his 
son Lawrence Washington in his will, 1743; recorded in King 
George County. 

IX. — Lawrence Washington to his brother George Washington, 
all his real estate in Virginia, by his will, 1752; recorded in Fairfax 
County. Lawrence and George Washington both added lands to 
the tract devised by their father, but Mount Vernon Mansion 
and present surrounding land is included in the 2,500 acres above. 

X. — George Washington to his nephew Bushrod Washington, 
Mount Vernon Mansion and 4,000 acres, by his will, 1799; re- 
corded in Fairfax County. 

XL— Bushrod Washington to his nephew John Augustine Wash- 

281 



282 APPENDIX 

ington, Mount Vernon Mansion and 1,225 acres, by his will, 1829; 
recorded in Fairfax County. 

XII. — John Augustine Washington to his wife Jane C. Wash- 
ington, all his property, with power to devise it as she pleased 
among her children, by his will, 1832; recorded in Jefferson 
County, West Virginia. 

XIII. — Jane C. Washington to her oldest son, John Augustine 
Washington, Mount Vernon Mansion and 1,225 acres, deed, 1850; 
recorded in Fairfax County. 

XIV. — Jane C. Washington to John Augustine Washington, 
by her will, 1855, confirms above deed; recorded in Jefferson 
County, West Virginia. 

XV. — A Contract between John Augustine Washington and 
the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, for the pur« 
chase of Mount Vernon Mansion and surrounding buildings and 
the tomb and 202 acres of land; recorded in Fairfax County, April 
6, 1858. 

XVI. — W T . A. Taylor, Commissioner, and the heirs of John 
Augustine Washington to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association 
of the Union, deed confirming above contract, November 12, 18G8, 
recorded in Fairfax County. 

XVII. — Two simultaneous deeds, Lawrence Washington and 
wife to Jay Gould, and Jay Gould and wife to the Mount Vernon 
Ladies' Association of the Union, thirty-three and one-halt' acres 
northeast of the mansion, July 23, 1887; recorded in Fairfax 
( lounty. 

XVIII. — Christian Heurich and wife to the Mount Vernon 
Ladies' Association of the Union, deed for two acres on the south- 
west side of their original tract, November 13, 1893; recorded in 
Fairfax County. 



APPENDIX B 



Table of General Washington's Visits to Mount Vernon 
While President 

Dates and duration of General Washington's visits to Mount 
Vernon during his two terms as President of the United States, 
April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. 

(The dates in italics are estimated from relative evidence in 
letters, diary, newspapers, etc., in the absence of direct evidence 
of the exact date, from which they are believed to be not more 
than one day removed.) 

Left for New York. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 71 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left on Southern Tour. 8 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 15 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 27 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 9 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 84 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 12 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 9 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 44 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 11 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 7 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 17 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 29 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 58 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

Left for Philadelphia. 33 days. 

Arrived at Mount Vernon. 

283 



1789, 


April 


16. . . 


1790, 


Sept. 


11. . . 




Nov. 


22. . . 


1791, 


March 30 . . . 




April 


7. . . 




June 


12. . . 




June 


27. . . 




Sept. 


20. . . 




Oct. 


17. . . 


1792, 


May 


15. . . 




May 


24. . . 




July 


16. . . 




Oct. 


8. . . 


1793, 


April 


1. . . 




April 


13. . . 




June 


27. . . 




July 


6. . . 




Sept. 


14. . . 




Oct. 


28. . . 


1794, 


June 


22. . . 




July 


3. . . 


1795, 


April 


19. . . 




April 


26. . . 




July 


20. . . 




Aug. 


6. . . 




Sept. 


13. . . 




Oct. 


12. . . 


1796, 


June 


20. . . 




Aug. 


17. . . 




Sept. 


23. . . 




Oct. 


26. . . 


1797, 


March 


15 . 



APPENDIX C 

Tables of Those Born, Married, and Buried at Mount 

Vernon 
horn in mount vernon mansion 

To Lawrence and Anne (Fairfax) Washington, four children, 
born between 1713 and 1751 inclusive. Lawrence mentions 
his three deceased children and his surviving daughter, Sarah, in 
his will. 

To George Augustine and Frances (Bassett) Washington, four 
children born between 1787 and 1791 inclusive, while he resided 
at Mount Vernon in charge of the estate during his uncle's absence 
at the seat of government as President. (Welles' "History and 
Geneology of the Washington Family," page 187.) 

To Lawrence and Nellie (Custis) Lewis, two children. Wash- 
ington records in his diary the birth of the first, December 1, 1799. 
The second was born "about 1801" while Mr. and Mrs. I^ewis 
made their home in the mansion with Mrs. Lewis' widowed grand- 
mother, Mrs. Martha Washington. 

To John Augustine and Eleanor Love (Selden) Washington, 
six children born between 1844 and 1858 inclusive. Welles in 
his "History of the Washington Family" records, pages 255 and 
256, the births of seven children. Lawrence Washington, one of 
these and the last surviving male child born in Mount Vernon 
Mansion, confirms Welles except as to Eliza, who was not born 
there. 

MARRIED IN MOUNT VERNON MANSION 

George Augustine Washington, nephew of George Washington, 
to Frances Bassett, niece of Mrs. George Washington, October 
15, 1785. Recorded by General Washington in his diary under 
thai date. 

Lawrence Lewis, nephew of George Washington, and Eleanor 
Parke ('ustis, granddaughter of Mrs. George Washington, February 
'1Z< 1799. Recorded by General Washington in his diary under 
that date. 

Noblet Herbert t<> Mary Lee Washington, granddaughter of 
Genera] Washington's brother, John Augustine Washington, 1819. 

284 



APPENDIX 285 

(Welles' "History and Geneology of the Washington Family," 
page 216.) 

BURIED AT MOUNT VERNON 

Lawrence Washington, who died at Mount Vernon, 1752, and 
his three children, who died at Mount Vernon before this date, 
and were buried in the first or old vault as soon as it was completed 
by George Washington. 

Sarah Washington, infant daughter of Lawrence and Anne 
Washington, died at Mount Vernon in 1752 and was buried in 
the first vault. 

Martha Parke Custis, daughter of Mrs. George Washington, 
died at Mount Vernon, June 19, 1773, and was buried in the first 
vault. 

George Washington, died at Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799, 
and was buried in the first vault. Reentombed 1831 in the 
second or new vault. 

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. T. Peter, age five, died August, 1800, 
at Georgetown, D. C, and interred at Mount Vernon, September 
1, 1800. (Diary of Mrs. Thornton, in "Records of Columbia His- 
torical Society," volume 10, page 186.) 

Martha Washington, wife of George Washington, died at Mount 
Vernon, May 22, 1802, and was buried in the first vault. Re- 
entombed in the new vault in 1831 . 

William Augustine Washington, nephew of George Washington, 
and one of the executors of his will, died at Georgetown, D. C., 
October, 1810, and "was buried at Mount Vernon." (Welles' 
"Pedigree and History of the Washington Family," page 174.) 

Bushrod Washington, nephew of George Washington, executor 
of his will and heir to Mount Vernon, died in Philadelphia, Novem- 
ber 26, 1829. His remains are in the second or new vault. (Diary 
of John Augustine Washington, September 10, 1855.) 

Ann Washington, wife of Bushrod Washington above, died a 
few days after her husband, November, 1829. Her remains are 
in the new vault. (Diary of John Augustine Washington, Septem- 
ber 10, 1810.) 

Bushrod Washington, fourth child of William Augustine Wash- 
ington above, "died at Mount Zephyr, in 1830, and was interred 
in the vault at Mount Vernon." (Welles' "Washington Family," 
page 196.) Not mentioned in John Augustine Washington's 
diary. 

Ann Aylette Washington, daughter of William Augustine Wash- 
ington, was "born at Haywood, Westmoreland County, Virginia, 
about 1787. Died and was buried at Mount Vernon." (Welles' 



286 APPENDIX 

Washington Family," page 190.) Not mentioned in John Augus- 
tine Washington's diary. 

John Augustine Washington, grand-nephew of the General, 
died at Mount Vernon in June, 1832, and his remains are in the 
new vault. (Diary of his son, John Augustine Washington, 
September 10, 1855.) 

Lawrence Lewis, nephew of the General, died November 20, 
1839, and his remains are in the new vault. (Diary of John 
Augustine Washington, September 10, 1855.) 

A Child of the Reverend W. P. C. Johnson, placed in the new 
vault, April 16, 1842. (Diary of John Augustine Washington, 
April 16, 1842.) 

Mrs. M. E. A. Conrad, daughter of Lawrence and Eleanor Custis 
Lewis, died September 21, 1839, at Pass Christian, Mississippi. 
Her body "and that of her child were buried near the new vault," 
July 10, 1843. (Diary of John Augustine Washington, July 10, 
1843.) 

Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, granddaughter of Mrs. George 
Washington, died at Audley in Clarke County, Virginia, July 
13, 1852. Buried outside the new vault beside her daughter 
and granddaughter. A marble shaft marks the spot. 

Mary Lee Washington Herbert died 1852 and her remains 
were placed in the new vault. (Diary of John Augustine Wash- 
ington, September 10, 1855.) 

Jane C. Washington, wife of John Augustine Washington who 
died at Mount Vernon in 1832, and mother of John Augustine 
Washington last private owner of Mount Vernon, died at Blakeley, 
Jefferson County (now West Virginia), 1855. Her body was 
placed in the new vault September 10, 1855, after which none other 
has been admitted. (Diary of John Augustine Washington, 
September 10, 1855.) 



APPENDIX D 



The Regents and Vice-Regents of the Mount Vernon La- 
dies' Association of the Union Since Its Organiza- 
tion with the Dates of Their Appointment 

Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham, Regent, 1853-1873 
(Resigned, 1873; Died, May 1, 1875) 

VICE-REGENTS 



1 Mrs. Anna C. O. Ritchie . 

2 Mrs. Alice H. Dickinson . 

3 Mrs. Philoclea E. Eve . . 

4 Mrs. Octavia Walton LeVert 

5 Mrs. Catharine A. MacWillie 

6 Mrs. Margaretta S. Morse. 

7 Mrs. Mary Rutledge Fogg. 

8 Mrs. Elizabeth M. Walton 

9 Miss Mary Morris Hamilton 

10 Mrs. Louisa I. Greenough . 

11 Mrs. Abba Isabella Little . 

12 Mrs. Catharine Willis Murat 

13 Mrs. Mary Bootes Goodrich 

14 Miss Phebe Ann Ogden 

15 Mrs. 



Alice Key Pendleton . 

Abby Wheaton Chase 
Jane Maria Van Antwerp 
Margaret A. Comegys 
Hannah B. Farnsworth 
Sarah King Hale . 
Martha Mitchell . 
Rosa V. J. Jeffreys 



16 Mrs. 

17 Mrs. 

18 Mrs. 

19 Mrs. 

20 Mrs. 

21 Mrs. 

22 Mrs. 
Mrs. Janet M. C. Riggs, Acting Vice-Regent 



1858 

resigned 

resigned 

died 

died 

died 

resigned 

died 

resigned 

resigned 

resigned 

resigned 

died 

resigned 

died 

resigned 

died 

died 

died 

died 

died 

resigned 

died 

died 



1866 
1859 
1889 
1877 
1872 
1872 
1872 
1858 
1866 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1864 
1867 
1863 
1885 
1892 

1888 
1879 
1861 
1902 
1894 



23 Mrs. Elizabeth W. Barry . 

24 Mrs. Sarah J. Sibley . . 

25 Mrs. Mary P. J. Cutts. . 

26 Miss Lily Lytle Macalester 

27 Mrs. Magdalen G. Blanding 

28 Mrs. Harriet B. Fitch . . 



1859 



died 

died 

resigned 

died 

resigned 

. died 



1883 
1869 
1878 
1891 
1884 
1880 



Virginia 

North Carolina 

Georgia 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Louisiana 

Tennessee 

Missouri 

New York 

Massachusetts 

Maine 

Florida 

Connecticut 

New Jersey 

Ohio 

Rhode Island 

Iowa 

Delaware 

Michigan 

New Hampshire 

Wisconsin 

Kentucky 

Dist. of Colum. 



Illinois 

Minnesota 

Vermont 

Pennsylvania 

California 

Indiana 



2S7 



288 



APPENDIX 



29 Mrs. Sarah H. Johnson 

30 Mrs. Letitia Harper Walker 

81 Mrs. Ann Lucas Hunt . 

32 Mrs. Mary Chestnut 

33 Mrs. Margaret J. M. Sweat 

34 Miss Emily L. Harper 

35 Mrs. Lucy H. Pickens 
30 Mrs. M. E. Hickman 

37 Mrs. M. A. Sterns . 

38 Mrs. Emily R. M. Hew; 

39 Miss Ella Hutchins. . 



40 Mrs. Janet M. C. Riggs 

41 Mrs. Maria Brooks. 

42 Mrs. Matilda W. Emory . 

43 Mrs. Nancy Wade Halsted 

44 Mrs. Nannie C. Yulee . 

45 Mrs. Susan E. J. Hudson . 

46 Mrs. Ella B. Washington . 

47 Mrs. Betsy C. Mason . 

48 Mrs. A. P. Dillon . . . 

49 Mrs. C. L. Scott . . . 



50 Mrs. William Balfour . 

51 Mrs. Mary T. Barnes . 

52 Mrs. David Urquehart. 

53 Miss M. E. Maverick . 



died 
died 


1866 
1908 


Arkansas 
North Carolina 


1860 

died 
died 


1878 
1867 


Missouri 
South Carolina 


1866 

died 
died 
died 
resigned 
resigned 
resigned 
resigned 


1908 
1891 
1899 
1874 
1873 
1872 
1872 


Maine 

Maryland 

South Carolina 

Nevada 

New Hampshire 

Ohio 

Texas 


1867 

S resigned 

• } died 

resigned 

resigned 


1868 
1871 
1876 
1873 


Dist. of Colum. 
New York 
Dist. of Colum. 


1868 

died 
died 


1891 
1884 


New Jersey 
Florida 


1870 

died 
died 


1913 
1898 


Connecticut 
West Virginia 


1872 

died 

\ resigned 

• ) died 

resigned 


1873 
1873 
1898 
1878 


Virginia 

Iowa 
Arkansas 


1873 

resigned 

died 

resigned 

resigned 


1875 
1912 
1876 
1873 


Mississippi 
Dist. of Colum 
Louisiana 
Texas 



Mrs. Lily M. Berghman, Second Regent 
(Made Acting Regent, 1873; Regent, June, 1874; Died, 1891) 

1874 

54 Mrs. Emma Reed Ball Virginia 

55 Mr3. Aaron V. Brown .... died 1889 Tennessee 



50 Mrs. Lily L. Broadwell 
37 Mrs. John P. Jones. 



1875 

died 
resigned 



1889 
1876 



Ohio 
Nevada 



APPENDIX 289 

1876 

58 Mrs. Jennie Meeker Ward . . . died 1910 Kansas 

59 Mrs. Justine Van Rensselaer 

Townsend died 1912 New York 

1878 

60 Mrs. J. Gregory Smith . . . resigned 1884 Vermont 

1879 

61 Miss Alice Longfellow Massachusetts 

62 Mrs. Robert Campbell .... died 1882 Missouri 

1880 

63 Mrs. Ida A. Richardson . . . died 1910 Louisiana 

1882 

64 Mrs. Ella S. Herbert .... died 1884 Alabama 

1885 

65 Mrs. E. B. A. Rathbone Michigan 

66 Mrs. Mary T. Leiter .... died 1913 Illinois 

67 Mrs. Janet Dekay King . . . died 1896 Vermont 

68 Mrs. Elizabeth Woodward . . . died 1897 Kentucky 

1888 

69 Miss Harriet C. Comegys Delaware 

70 Mrs. Fannie Gilchrist Baker . . died 1901 Florida 

1889 

71 Mrs. Alice Hill died 1908 Colorado 

72 Mrs. Rebecca B. Flandrau . . . died 1912 Minnesota 

73 Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst California 

1890 

74 Mrs. A. R. Winder died 1906 New Hampshire 

1891 

75 Mrs. Georgia Page Wilder . . . died 1914 Georgia 

Mrs. Justine V. R. Townsend, Third Regent 
(Elected Temporary Regent, December, 1891; Regent, June, 1892; 

Died, 1912) 

1893 

76 Mrs. Geo. R. Goldsborough . j ^^ JJJ* Maryland 

77 Mrs. J. Dundas Lippincott 

78 Miss Mary L. Pendleton . 

79 Mrs. Philip Schuyler . . 

80 Mrs. Christine B. Graham . 



died 1894 Pennsylvania 

resigned 1897 Ohio 

resigned 1894 New York 

. died 1915 Missouri 



290 APPENDIX 

si Mrs. Francis S. Conover .... died 191 1 New Jersey 

82 Mrs. Mary P. Yeatman Webb Tennessee 

1891 

83 Miss Lelia Herbert died 189' 7 Alabama 

1895 

84 Mr,. Robert H. Clarkson . j™^ gg N ,,, ras , ;a 

85 Mrs. William Ames died 1904 Rhode Island 

86 Miss Amy Townsend New York 

1896 

87 Mrs. Chas. C. -Harrison Pennsylvania 

88 Mrs. Thomas S. Maxey Texas 

1897 

80 Mrs. James E. Campbell . . resigned 1902 Ohio 

1900 

90 Mrs. Roberl 1). Johnston Alabama 

«»1 Mrs. C. F. Manderson Nebraska 

92 Mrs. Eugene Van Rensselaer West Virginia 

1901 

93 Mrs. J. J. Pringle South Carolina 

94 Mrs. Wm. F. Barret Kentucky 

95 Mrs. Chas. Denby died 1906 Indiana 

1905 

96 Mrs. Henry W. Rogers Maryland 

1907 

97 Mrs. Frances J. Ricks . . resigned 1914 Mississippi 

98 Mrs. Lewis Irwin died 1915 Ohio 

99 Mrs. J. Carter Brown Rhode Island 

100 Miss Mary I'. Failing Oregon 

101 Mrs. Eliza F. Leary Washington 

1909 

102 Mrs. A. B. Andrews died 1915 North Carolina 

Miss Habbiet Clayton Combgys, Fourth Regent 
(Elected May, 1909) 

1911 

108 Mrs. James Gore King Richards Maine 

L04 Miss Mary Bvarts Vermont 

105 Mrs. Antoine Lentilhon Foster Delaware 



APPENDIX 



291 



106 Miss Annie Ragan King 

107 Miss Jane A. Riggs . . 



1912 



1913 



108 Mrs. Horace Mann Towner 

109 Mrs. Thomas P. Denham 



Louisiana 
Dist. of Colum. 



Iowa 
Florida 



1914 

110 Mrs. Charles E. Furness , Minnesota 

111 Mrs. Louis Hanks Wisconsin 

112 Mrs. Benjamin D. Walcott ...... Indiana 

113 Miss Harriet L. Huntress New Hampshire 

1915 

114 Miss Annie B. Jennings Connecticut 

115 Mrs. W. H. Bradford New Jersey 

1916 

116 Mrs. Anne Shepley Nagle Missouri 

117 Miss Mary Govan Billups Mississippi 

118 Mrs. Harriet Isham Carpenter Illinois 

119 Mrs. John V. Abrahams Kansas 



INDEX 



Abingdon, 122, 132 

Accotink, 97 

Acquia, 111 

Adam, Mr., 91 

Adams, President John, 199,234,241, 247 

Adams, Sir Thomas, R. N., 91 

Addison, Mr., 91 

Addison's Spectator, 28 

Agriculture, Experimental, 80-83 

Alexander, Mr., 44, 95, 96 

Alexander, George, 97 

Alexander, Robert, 96, 97, 98, 122 

Alexander, Philip, 98 

Alexandria, vii, 31, 38, 39, 92, 94, 95, 
96, 97, 105, 122, 124, 133, 138, 166, 
172, 181, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 197, 
200, 208, 217, 220, 223, 224, 241, 244 

Alexandria Jockey Club, 99 

Alterations in Mount Vernon Mansion, 
125, 126, 127, 140, 141, 142, 149, 150, 
161, 204 

Ambler, Edward, 46 

Amboy, 114 

Anderson, James, 195 

Anderson, Mrs., 133 

Annapolis, 93, 102, 103, 114, 119, 121, 
122, 144, 173, 179. 208, 209 

Anthony, Old, the Miller, 85 

Appleby School, 13, 22 

Archer, James, 262, 269 

Arlington, Earl of, 6 

Arlington House, 16, 251, 274 

Arteignan, Count de Cheiza d', 173 

Assembly, see Burgesses 

Asses, Maltese and Spanish, 174, 175 

Association, Mount Vernon Ladies', of 
theUnion, 13, 142, 250, 253, 258-9, 261, 
262, 265, 267, 274. 277, 282, 287-91 

Atheneum, Boston, 274 

Attic, or Garrett, 56, 230, 238 

Audley, 250, 286 

Aylett, Miss, 14 

Ayletts, Wm., 110 



Bache, Mrs., 59 
Bacon's Rebellion, 6 



Ball, Col. Joseph, 10, 26, 27 
Ball, Mary, see Mary Washington 
Baltimore, 114, 200 
Baltimore, Lord, 4 
Barbadoes, 33 
Barclay, Mr., 90 

Barn, near Mansion, 15, 22, 197 
on Union Farm, 154 
sixteen-sided, on Dogue Run 

Farm, 196, 197 
on Muddy Hole Farm, 197 
planned for River Farm, 197 
Barney, Captain, 181 
Bassett, Colonel Burwell, 98, 110, 111, 

112, 116, 133, 144, 171 
Bassett, Mrs., 101, 133 
Bassett, Frances, 157, 158, 165, 168, 

171, 189, 193, 195, 197, 229, 284 
Bastille, Key of, 187, 213, 230, 260 
Bastille, Sketch of, 187, 213, 230 
Bastille, Model of, in stone, 213, 275 
Bath Warm Springs, 113 
Beaujolais, 210 
Bed, in which General Washington 

died, 275 
Beckwith's, Mr., 99 
Beekman, Mr., 152 
Bellair (Maryland), 153 
Belle Aire, 21, 37, 64, 92, 93 
Belmont Bay, 64 
Belvoir, 12, 17, 18, 22, 26, 28, 30, 35, 

37, 39, 45, 55, 56, 64, 91, 93, 96, 117, 

142, 165, 204, 208, 244, 257 
Berghman, Mrs. Lily M., 263, 288 
Bermuda, 33, 34 

Bible, Washington family, 10, 275 
Binney, Justice, quoted, 242 
Birth-night Balls, 166 
Bishop, 46-47, 48, 50, 51, 133, 143, 145, 

162, 163, 164, 189 
Blackburn, Anne, 241, 285 
Blackburn, Jane Charlotte, 245-247, 251, 

252, 286 
Blackburn, Major Richard Scott, U. 

S. A., 245 
Blackburn, Col. Thomas, 236, 241 



293 



294 



INDKX 



Blakeley, 215, 246, 251, 286 

Blueskin, 170 

Bogg'a Race Track, 99 

Boiling Green, The, 1 1 1 

Hooks, 70. 215, 231, 273, 274, 27.3 

Booths, Mr., L12 

Boston, 124, 125 

Boucher, Capt., 1:57 

Boucher, Rev. Jonathan, 91, 93, 103, 

114, 119, L22 
Bound Brook, lit 
Boyd's hole, 112 
Braddock, General, 40, 12, 43, 45, 47, 

133 
Bramm, Jacob van. 32, 33, 3i), 2:57 
Bread and Mutter Ball, !»."> 
Brehan, Marquise de, 172 
Bridges Creek, 9, 10 
Brissot, J. 15.. 170 
Bristol, 114 

Brooks, Capt. Christopher, 10 
"Brown, a Mr.," 90 
Brown, Mr.. 91 
Brown, David Paul, 242 
Brown, Doctor, 223 
Brown. Miss Kitty, 237 
Brflhswick, 114 
Buchan, Karl of, 205, 227 
Buck House. 112 
Buckey, Thomas W., 253 
Bull Run, 137 

Burgesses, 9, 19, 31, 48, 54. 55, 61, 62, 
, 8, 95, mi, 105, 106, 107, 108, 

10!>, 110, 128 
Burlington, 114 
Burwell, Colo., 91 
Bushrod, Mrs., 91 
Butler, Caleb, 9 10 
Butler, Jane, 9, 10 
Byr.l, William, 12 

Cadwallader, Mr. and Mrs., 90 

Csesar, 236 

Calvert. Benedict, OS, 114, 119-122 

Calvert, Mrs., L20 

Calvert/< lecil, Lord Baltimore, t 

Calvert, Eleanor, 93, 119, 120, 121, 122, 

130, 132, 1 IV. 207 
( alvert, Leonard, 1 
< lampball's, Mrs.. 1 1 1 
Campbell, Mrs. Robert, 260 

Cane-, 227, 2 I] 

Carlyle, John, it. 95, 96, 97 

Carl vie, Mrs., 96 

Carlyle, Sally, 96, 97 
I, ( harles, 210 



Carter, Councillor, 257 

Carthagena, 16, 22, 69, 206 

Cary, Miss (Mrs. Geo. Win. Fairfax's 

sister), :>0 
( !ary, Mary, 46 
Cary, Robert & Co., 69, 123 
Cattle, 84 
Causey, The, 110 
Cedar Grove on Accotink, 93 
Cedar Grove, 14, 17, 41 
Chamberlayne, Mr., 49, 133 
Chantille, L69 
Charity, 87, 135 
Charlottesville, 139 
Charles II. King, 4, 6,7, 8 
Charlestown, W. Va., 260 
Chastellux de, quoted 90, 143 
Cheere, William, 72 
( Ihesapeake Bay, 4, 13, 138, 178, 181 
( 'hester, 114 
( Ihestertown, 1 1 1 
Chews Ball. Mrs., 96 
Chichester, Mr., 99, 208 
Christ Church. Alexandria, 95, 108, 160, 

22 L, 2 1 1 (see Fairfax Parish) 
Christian, Mr., dancing master, 101, 102 
Cincinnati, Society of, 148, 237 
Civil War, 15, 262, 
Claibornes, 112 
Clarke Count v. 250, 286 
Clay, Henry, 249 
Clinton, Governor, 148, 151 
Cockburn, Martin, of Springfield, 93 
Colchester, (it. 105 
Colonization Society, American, 243 
Columbia Historical Society Records, 

quoted, 285 
Couiegys, Miss Harriet ('., 263, 289. 

290 
Conde, Prince de, 169 
Conrad, Mrs. Angela Lewis, see Angela 

Lewis 
Constitution of the United States, 17!> 

181 
Conway, Moncure I)., quoted, 16, 20 
Corbin, Miss. !)7 
Cornerstone, 24 
( 'ornwallis. 1 1_>, 155 
Craik, Dr. James. 92, 96, 113, 144. 148, 

in .;. J.' I, 223, 227, 275 
Craik, William, l ts 
Cully, en 

Culpepper I lounty, 31 
Culpepper, Lord. 6, L0, 12. 27.".. 281 

Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 258, 262, 
263, 287 



INDEX 



295 



Cunningham, Mrs., mother of Ann Pa- 
mela Cunningham, 257-258 

Custis, Daniel Parke, 52, 62, 232 

Custis, Eleanor Parke ("Nelly," Mrs. 
Lewis), 132, 133, 143, 144, 15G, 104, 
171, 187, 190. 200, 202, 205, 207, 208, 
209, 210, 213, 217, 220, 221, 229, 
234, 235, 236, 237, 250, 254, 273, 274, 
270, 284, 280 

Custis, Elizabeth Parke (Mrs. Law), 
132, 143, 188, 207, 208, 218, 238, 254, 
273 

Custis, George Washington Parke, 
50, 00, 02, 07, 73, 74, 133, 143, 144, 
150, 104, 171, 175, 187, 190, 207, 208, 
209, 221, 233, 234, 230, 237, 248, 251, 
273, 274 

Custis," John Parke, 52, 02, 63, 00, 70, 
91, M, 98, 100, 101, 102, 103, 109, 
111, 115, 119, 120, 121, 122, 130, 132, 
143, 141, 150, 104, 170, 208, 229, 250 

Custis, Martha Parke (daughter Martha 
Custis Washington), 52, 03, 00, 70, 
91, 101, 102, 113, 115, 110, 117, 122, 
132, 150, 170, 229, 285 

Custis, Martha Parke (Mrs. Peter), 
granddaughter of Martha Custis 
Washington, 132, 143, 207, 208, 218, 
238, 254, 273, 285 

Custis, Widow Martha, see Martha 
Washington 

Daguerre, 63 

Dalton, Captain, 97 

Dalton, Mrs., and daughter, 90 

Dancing, 101 

Dandridge, Betsy, 110 

Dandridge, Martha, see Martha Wash- 
ington 

Dandridge, Mrs., mother of Martha 
Washington, 117. 

Davis, Mr., 112 

Davis, Rev. Mr., 224, 234 

Dawson's, Mrs., Ill 

Deed, original, to Mount Vernon, 6-7, 
275, 281 

Deer Park, 150, 152, 153, 197, 198, 214, 
266 

Democratic Review, quoted, 191 

Dent, Elizabeth, 46 

Dick, Doctor, 223 

Difficult Run, 218 

Digges Family, 4, 18, 91, 92, 93, 179, 
243, 257 

Dinwiddie, Governor, 38, 39, 40 

Distillery, 85 



Dodge, Harrison Howell, 262, 270 
Doeg (Dogue) Indians, 3 
Dogs, 97, 98, 99, 112, 174, 175 
Dogue Creek, 6, 12, 13, 15, 18, 21, 36, 

48, 77, 78, 91, 94, 234, 250, 254 
Dogue Run, 10, 78, 100 
Dogue Run Farm, 78, 190, 197 
Dove, The, 4 
Duelling, 100 
Dulaney, Lloyd, 99, 113 
Dumfries, 111 

Dunmore, Lord, 117, 13G, 137, 139 
Durham, County of, 7 

Eagle's Nest, 219 

Eden, Governor, 93 

Elisabeth Town, 114 

Eltham, 110, 111, 144 

Epsewasson, 220 

Evans, Joshua, 101 

Everett, Hon. Edward, quoted, vii, 200 

Ewell, Fannie, 21 

Ewell family, 04, 92 

Exeter, 240 

Experimental agriculture, 80-83 

Fairfax, Anne, 17, 18, 19, 33, 35, 36, 

40, 47, 08, 284 
Fairfax, Rev. Bryan, 18, 96, 165, 100, 

221, 222, 227 
Fairfax County, 3, 7, 35, 36, 44, 55, 

99, 109, 123, 124, 188, 219, 274, 281, 

282 
Fairfax, George William, 30, 44, 46, 

55, 56, 90, 91, 97, 105, 100, 117, 118, 

119, 142, 153, 105, 204 
Fairfax Parish, 106 
Fairfax Resolutions, 124 
Fairfax, Sally, 40 
Fairfax, Saily Cary (Mrs. George 

William), 40, 97, 117, 204, 208 
Fairfax, Thomas, Lord, 12, 18, 20, 28, 

29, 31, 90, 257 
Fairfax, William, 12, 17, 20, 28, 45, 48, 

105 
Farewell Address, 187, 190 
Farms, Five, 78, 150, 154, 155, 189, 219 
Fauntleroy, Betsy, 38 
Fauntleroy, Win, Sr., 38 
Fauquier County, 138 
Federal City, The, see Washington City 
Federalist, The, 180, 
Federalist, The, ship, 180-181 
Ferry Farm, on the Rappahannock, 14, 

21, 02, 64 
Fire Protection, 272-273 



296 



INDEX 



Fires, 264, 272 

Fish, of the Potomac, 5, 78, 80, 97, 112 

Fitch, Jno., 172 

Fithian, Philip Viekers, 108 

Fitzhugh, Henry, 219 

Fleming, Major, 93 

Ford, W'orthington, 59 

Four Mile Run, 86, 218 

Fox-hunting, 28, 96, 97, 111, 112, 160, 

175, 208 
Franklin, Benjamin, 59, 171, 227, 228, 

229 
Frazer's Ferry, 112 
Frederick County, 55, 109 
Fredericksburg, 14, 17, 20, 31, 37, 39, 

41, 64, 110, 111, 129, 139, 140, 145, 

148 
French, Daniel, 108 
Frestel, M., 200, 209 
Frost, Amariah, 152, 210 
Fulton, Robert, 172 

Gadsby's City Hotel, 220 

Gage, General, 124 

Gardens, 150, 152, 153, 264 

Garrett, see Attic 

Gates, Horatio, 128, 139 

Georgetown, D. C, vii, 18, 207, 218, 

285 
Georgetown on Sassafras, 114 
Glassford, Mr., H. X., 91 
Globe, The, 112 
Goldsbury, Mr., 90 
Gooch, Governor, 52 
Gordon, II. X., (apt., 243 
Gould, Jay, 267, 282 
Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Macauley, 172 
Grapes, 152 
Cray's Hill, 85, 220 
Grayson family, 01 
Grayson, Rev. Mr., 158 
Grayson, William. 92, 93, 127 
Green, Dr. Charles, vs. 93, 101 
Green, Thomas, 197 
Greenaway Court, 29, 257 
( rreene, General, 229 
Greenhouse, 16, 201, 272 
Gregory, Mrs. Mildred, 10, 11, 281 
Gregory, Roger, 11, 281 
Griffith, Doctor, 158 
(Irvine-;, l.mv. 10 
Gunston Ball, 18, 37, 92, 93, 101, 124, 

208 

Bale, Edward Everett, 2.'!:? 
Hamilton, Alexander, 180, 190 



Hamilton, Stanislaus Murray, 94 

Hardwick, Mr., 90 

Harpsichord, Nelly Custis', 276 

Harrison, Benjamin, 179, 180 

Bayfield, 157 

I la\ wood, 285 

Baywoods, Mr., 122 

Hearst, Mrs. Phoebe A., 267, 289 

Henderson, Col. Alexander, 93 

Henry, Patrick, 125, 128, 179, 180 

Herbert, Mr., 91 

llcrlierl family, 95 

Herbert, John, 222 

Herbert, Noblet, 245 

Herbert, Mrs. Noblet, see Mary Lee 

Washington 
Herbert, Upton H„ 261, 262 
Heurich, Christian, 267, 282 
Hobs hole, 112 
Hobson, Richmond P., 137 
Hollingsworth, J. M., 262 
Hollin Hall, 92, 257 
Hooes Ferry, 113 
Hope Park, 207 
Hopkinson, Judge, 242 
Horses, 93, 155, 169, 170, 191, 211-2, 213 
Hospitality, 89-104, 135, 173, 189, 192- 

193, 207, 210, 212, 218, 219, 243, 

255, 256 
Houdon, M., 171-172, 281, 260, 274 
Hubbards, Mr. Benja., 110, 111 
Humphreys, Col. David, 144, 161, 102, 

181, 185 
Hunter, John, 167 
Hunting Creek, Little, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 

18, 21, 36, 77, 78, 106, 235, 254, 281 
Hunting Creek, Great, 166, 221 

Ice House, 266 
Industry, The, 33 
Irving, Washington, 59 

James River, 4, 42, 110 

Jay, John, 180 

Jeffers, George H., 2s| 

Jefferson County, \ a., and W. Ya., 245, 

246. 251, 282, 286 
Jefferson, Thomas, 171. lsn 
Jenifer, Daniel, of St. Thomas, !•::. 97, 

128 
Johnson, Rev. W. P. C . 249, 251 
Johnson, child of Rev. W. P. C, 286 
Johnston, Mr.. R. X.. 91 
Johnston, Mr. ( reorge, 93 
Jones, Rev. Mr., 171 



INDEX 



297 



Kanawha, 148 

Kansas children restore Quarters, 272 

Kenmore House, 41, 64, 111, 140 

Kester, Vaughan, 52 

King George County, 281 

King William County, 112 

King William Court House, 110 

King's^College, New York, 103, 114, 119 

Kingshighway, 14, 18 

Kniglit, Humphrey, 55, 58 

Knox, General, 147, 177, 182, 230 

Knox, Mrs., 209 

L, Captain, 191 

LaFayette, General Marquis de, 143, 
146, 170, 173-174, 175, 177, 182, 187, 
209, 210, 227, 228, 229, 244, 260, 275 

LaFayette, Marchioness de,147, 170,229 

LaFayette, George Washington, 170, 
200, 209, 229, 244 

Lancaster, 114 

Lanphier, Going, 126, 127, 140, 141 

Lantern, Iron, in hall, 16, 275 

Latrobe, Benjamin H, 210 

Laurie, Doctor, 96, 101 

Law, Mr., 213, 229, 236 

Law, Mrs., see Elisabeth Parke Custis 

Lear, Tobias, 165, 189, 200, 203, 205, 

219, 222, 223, 227, 231, 235, 236 
Lear, Mrs., see Frances Bassett 
Ledger, New York, 260 

Lee, Anne Fairfax, see Anne Fairfax 

Lee, Billy, 143, 145, 163, 164 

Lee, Charles, 128 

Lee, Charles, son of George Lee, 36 

Lee, George, 36, 47 

Lee, Henry, 110 

Lee, Mrs. Henry, 46 

Lee, General "Light horse Harry," 46, 

180, 211-212, 219 
Lee, Richard, 36 

Lee, Richard Henry, 168-169, 180 
Lee, General Robert E., 260 
Lewis, Angela, 234, 250, 283, 286 
Lewis, Betty, see Elisabeth Washington 
Lewis, Col. Fielding, 98, 110, 111, 112, 140 
Lewis, George, 227, 236 
Lewis, Howell, 194, 222, 236 
Lewis, John, 90, 236 
Lewis, Lawrence, 194, 195, 217, 218, 

220, 221, 234, 235, 236, 248, 249, 250, 
251, 252, 284, 286 

Lewis, Mrs. Lawrence, see Eleanor 

Parke Custis 
Lewis, Lorenzo, 249 
Lewis, Miss, 145 



Lewis, Robert, 236 

Liberia, 243 

Library, see Books 

Littlepage, Captain, 172 

Lloyd, Col., 90 

Lodge, Henry Cabot, 59, 177 

Lonsdale, Lord, 271 

Lossing, Benson J., quoted, 16, 59 

Lotteries, 99, 100 

Loudoun County, 138, 246 

Louisiana, school children of, restore 

summer house, 266 
Luzerne, Chevalier de la, 152, 172 

Madison, James, 180, 187, 206, 230, 233 

Magnolia, 83, 169 

Magowan, Rev. Walter, 91, 100, 102 

Managers of Mount Vernon, 194-195 

Manley, H., 98 

Manly, Miss, 97 

Mansfield, Lord, 242 

Mansion House Farm, 78 

Marlboro, 93 

Marshall Hall, 77, 93 

Marshall, John, 180, 210, 241 

Marshall, Thomas Hanson, 77, 93, 94 

Mason's Neck, 18 

Mason, George, 18, 37, 92, 100, 105, 

106, 124, 125, 127, 137, 180, 208 
Mason, Thomson, 92, 257 
Masonic, 37, 38, 224, 231, 267 
Massey, Rev. Lee, 93 
McCarty, Capt. Daniel, 93, 98, 208 
McHenry, James, 203, 214 
McHenry, Mrs., 214 
Meade, Bishop, 59, 244 
Mercer, 240 
Michaux, Andre, 173 
Michigan restored Old Tomb, 266 
Mike, 96 

Mill, 14, 15, 19, 35, 36, 85, 112, 220 
Minton, Mrs. Eliza, 12, 17 
Monongahela, 151 
Monroe, James, 180 
Monticello, 139 
Montpensier, 210 
Morris, Mr., 207 
Morris, Gouverneur, 172 
Morse, Jedediah, 173 
Mosson, Rev., Rector of St. Peter's, 59 
Mount Airy, Maryland, 93, 114, 119, 

121, 122 
Mount Eagle, 165, 221 
"Mount Vernon Parish," 21 
Mount Vernon — look under special 

topics relating thereto. 



2i)8 



INDEX 



Mount Zephyr, 251, 285 
Moustier, ( !omte de, 172 
Miul.lv Hole Farm, 78 
Muir. Mr., !)1 
Muse, Adjutant, :32, 83 

Navy, U. S., ordera when ships pass 
Mount Vernon, 277 

Neabsco, '.'2 

Neekar, bust of, 187 

Neighborhood, 91, 208 

Neil, Mrs., 40 

Nelson, General Washington's war- 
horse, L55, 170 

Nels »n, Thomas, 179 

Newark. 1 1 1 

Newcastle, 1 1 !■ 

Newenham, Sir Edward, 176 

New Kent, 51, 52, 77. 112, 133, 111. I '. I 

New York, 46, 103, 113, 114, 152, 183, 

1st. is.",, 1S7, 283 
Nicholas, Miss, 1)7 
Niemcewitz, Kosciusko's friend, 210, 

212-21::. 275 
Nomini, 1 12 
Xomini Hall. 257 
Non-importation Resolves, 123 
Norris, Mr., R. N., 9] 
North Lodge Gate, 267, 268 

Odin, 7 

Ogle, Mr.. 153 

Ohio, 38, 39, 15, 53, 113, 148 

( )hio ( lompany, 19, :il 

O'Neill, Rev. Charles, 244 

Orders on London, (i'.i 7:;. 123 

Orleans, Due d', 210 

Onne, Robert, 40, 41, 42 

Outbuildings, 56, 57, 07, 88, 127, 153, 

154 
Oven, 86 

Pamunkey River, 18, 53, 59 

Parkers Ordinary, 1 10 

I'm t terson, John, 55, 56 

Payne, Mr. Edwd., 99 

Peake, 87, 91, 99 

Peale, Charles Willson, lit LIS 

Pearce, William. 194, 195, 197, L98 

Pendleton, Edmond, L25, L28, 180, 225, 

226 
Pennsylvania, I fniversitj of, 209 
Perin, Mr., 171 

Perry, Commodore O. II.. U. S. N., 244 
Peter, Mr. Thomas, 236, 285 
Peter, Mrs. (.see Martha Parke i 



Peter Porcupine's Gazette, 200 
Philadelphia, 114, 123, 125, 129, 112, 

1 is. 156, 179, 188, 190, 210, 218, 225, 

226, 234, 237, 240, 243, 245, 248, 274, 

283, 285 
Philipse, Mary, 40 
Pickering, Mr., 241 
Piercey's independent Blues, 220 
Pilgrim, '1 he sloop, 152 
Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 181 
Pine, Roberl Edge, 170 17 1 
Pip. r. Mr., 91, 97 

iway, I. 7, 15, is. 114, 2sl 
Pohick Church, 21. 48, 64, 93, 99, 105, 

106, 107, los. 166, 171, 244 
Poole, William, 55, 57-58 
Pope, Ann, 9 
Pope's ( reek, 112 
Porter, Commodore David, U. S. N., 

244 
Portico floor. 119-150, 270-271 
Portraits. 114, 115, 170, 171, 172, 205, 

211. 217, 228, 229, 2130, 2:31, 2:57, 

238 27 1 
Port tobacco, 77, 113, 223 
Posey, (ant. John, 77. 94, 99 
Postal facilities, 135-6 
Potomac River, vii, 3, 4, 5. 6, 7, 9, 10, 

11, 12. I:!, 14, 15. 16, 17, IS, 22, 63, 

(il, 77. sii. !>:;. 101, 114. 117, 122, 133, 

136, 137, 138, 165, 168, Kill. 177, 178, 

181, 229, 21:5, 250, 257, 268, 276, 277, 

281 
Powell, Mrs., 206 
Powell's, Mrs., 59 
Power, Mr.. 90 
Priestlev. Doctor, 206, 230 
Prince William County, 7, 35, 128, 137. 

L38, 241 
Princeton, 11 1, 209 
"Prodigal Judge. The," 52 
Pryor, Mrs., quoted, 60 

Quarters, 272 

Ramsay, Miss Betsey, 96, 110 
Ramsay, Wm., 95, 96, I 8 
Ramsay's, I he W idow ,114 
Ravensworth, 207, 219, 27 1 
Regents and Vice-Regents of the Mount 

Vernon Ladies' Association, 2S7-29! 
Religious tolerance in Virginia, 19 
Restorations, 201-277 
Rhodes, Amphilis, 8 
Richmond, 123, 128, 149, 172, 173, 241. 

231 



INDEX 



299 



Richmore, Mr., R. N., 91 

Rickett's Circus, 199 

Riggs, George ^Y., 262 

Rippon Lodge, 241, 244 

Rittenhouse, David, 229, 276 

River Farm, 78, 92, 197, 235 

Robinson, Mr. Speaker, 109 

Rochambeau, General Count de, 143 

Rockhall, 114 

Rogers, C. Mellon, 231 note 

Roof, 269-270 

Roots's, 112 

Rover's Delight, 94 

Roys Ordinary, 111 

Ruffins Ferry, 111 

Rumney, Doctor, 91, 96, 98, 101, 110 

St. Bees Head, 271 

St. Paul's Church, 112 

St. Peter's Church, New Kent, 52, 59 

Sartell, Mr., R. N., 91 

Saunders, Captain, of the Industry, 33 

Sears, 127, 140 

Sea wall, 267 

Serpentine Road, 150, 151 

Shaw, William, 165, 168, 169, 171 

Sheep, 84 

Shingles, 269-270 

Six-chimney House, 52, 61, 62, 68 

Slades, 114 

Slaves, 232-234 

Sleepy Creek, 90 

Smith, John, visits upper Potomac, 4 

quoted, 5, 28 
Smith, Col. VVm., 144, 161-164 
Smith, Mr., The Parson, 112 
Snow, Gideon, 164 
Society Hill, 268 
South, Tour of the, 187, 283 
"Southern Matron, The," 258 
Spain, King of, 175 
Spearing, Ann, 46 
Spencer, Lord, 8 
Spencer, Madam Francis, 11 
Spencer, Nicholas, 7, 10, 11, 275, 281 
Spinning output, 67 
Stafford County, 7, 11, 219, 281 
Stamp Act, 122 
"Stars & Stripes," 8 
Stedlar, Mr., 96 

Sterling's, Lord, at Baskin's Ridge, 114 
Story, Justice, quoted, 242 
Strickland, 249 
Struthers, John, 248 
Stuart, Dr. David, 171, 227, 236 
Stuart, Capt. Walter, 96 



Stuart, Gilbert, 211 
Stuart, Miss, 158 
Sulgrave Manor, 7, 8 
Summer-house, 266 
Sun-dial, 155 
Surveyor's tripod, 31 
Suttons, 114 
Swords, 227, 231, 275 

Table of Washington's visits to Mount 
Vernon while President, 279, 283 

Table of those Born, Married, and 
Buried at Mount Vernon, 279, 284-286 

Tarleton Raid, 139 

Terrett, Miss, 90 

Taylor, Wm. A., Commissioner, 282 

Texas, citizens of, restore North Lodge 
Gates, 267 

Thackeray, W. M., quoted, 39, 100 

Thomas Collyer, Steamer, 261 

Thompson, Charles, 183, 185 

Thompson, Rev. Mr., 171 

Thornton, George, 90 

Thornton, Diary of Mrs. Wm., quoted, 
285 

Thornton, Thatcher, 268 

Tilghman, Mr., 91, 99 

Title to Mount Vernon, 6, 7, 10, 11, 35, 
36, 226, 245, 246-247, 259, 260, 267, 
279, 281-282 

Tods Bridge, 111 

Tom, 96 

Tomb, first or old, 34, 223, 225, 234, 236, 
244, 245, 247, 248, 266, 268, 285, 286 

Tomb, second or new, 248, 249, 250-3, 
255, 256, 257, 259, 262, 277, 285, 286 

Townsend, Miss Amy, 272 (Note), 290 

Townsend, Mrs. Justine Van Rensse- 
laer, 283, 289 

Trees, 151, 152, 269 

Trench, Capt., 39 

Trenton, 114 

Triplet, T., 98 

Triplet, Wm., 98 

Trumbull, Col. John, 205, 238 

Truro Parish, 12, 104-108 

Tunnelling the banks, 268-9 

Union Farm, 78, 154 

Valentine's, Josh., 110, 111 

Valley of Virginia, or Shenandoah, 28, 

29, 53 
Vallo, Charles, 172 
Varick, Col. Richard, 161 
Vaughan Mantel, 174-5, 275 



300 



INDEX 



Vaughan, Samuel. 174, 275 

Vernon, Admiral, 10, 17, 69, 206, 275 

Versailles, 176 

Virginians," Thackeray's "The, 89, 100 

Visitors, Board of, 259 

Volney, 210 

Waccamaw, Lake, 2d!) 

aer, Dr. Peter, 93, 99 
Wageners, 208 

Wakefield, 9, 10, 14, 22, 77, 257 
Walker, Col. Benjamin, 1 11 
Wallace. William, 20.3, 227 
Walls. 150, 153, 207, 208 
Walnut Farm, 215 
Warburton Manor, 4, 18. 92, 122, 2-13, 

257 
Washington's Birthday Anniversary, 

166, 217 
Washington, evolution of name, 7 
Washington, Ann Aylette, 285 
Washington, Anna Maria, 247, 284 
Washington, Anne Fairfax, see Anne 

Fairfax 
Washington, Angus! inc. grandson of 

John the Emigrant and Father of 

Ga>rge, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 23, 

21, 2(i. 35, 54, 85, 105, 2S1 
Washington, Augustine, half-brother of 

George, L0, 13, 1 1, 22, 45, 77 
Washington, Justice Bushrod, 43, lis. 

15S, Jin, 220-7. 2:i5, 236, 238, 240-5, 

246, 251, 252, 254, 255, 272, 273, 281- 

282, 285 
Washington, Mrs. Bushrod, see Anne 

Blackburn 
Washington, Bushrod, son of Win. 

August inr Washington, 285 
Washington, Charles, 10, 112, 157, 221, 

J27 
Washington City, vii, 188, 198, 207, 

209, 2 IS. 2 17. J is, 255, 201, 274 
Washington, Corbin, 215 
Washington, Eleanor Love, 247, 284 
Washington, Elisabeth, 10, 13, 37, 41, 

01. LSI, l:»t. 207, 218 
Washington, Eliza Selden, 217, 285 
Washington, Fort, L is. 92, 213 
Washington, General George, look 

under special topics relating thereto 

Washington, George, son of John 
Augustine ami Eleanor, 217, 285 

Washington, George Augustine, 157, 
158, L68, 171. 181, 189, 194, 284 

Washington, Sons of George Augustine, 

235 



Washington, Mrs. George Augustine, 

see Franees Bassett 
Washington, George Steptoe, 227 
Washington, Harriott, 150 
Washington House, 8 
Washing!, ,n, .lane Charlotte, 247, 284 
Washington, John, the Emigrant, 7, 8, 

!). 10. 11. 33, 51, 2S1 

Washington, John, of Warton, 7 
Washington, John Augustine, brother 

of Ceorge. 1(1. 13. 43, 44, 55, 58, 112, 

128, 130, 158, 226, 235. 210, 284 
Washington. John Augustine, son of 

Corbin, grand nephew of the General, 

215 0, 251, 252, 255. 256, 2.S2, 280 
Washington, Jane Charlotte Blackburn, 

wife «,f above, 245-7, 240, 251, 252, 

258, 255, 282, 286 
Washington, John Augustine, son of 

above, 246-7, 249, 250, 251, 258, 255, 

256, 258, 25!), 200, 282, 284, 286 
Washington, Kleauor Love Selden, 246- 

7, 284 
Washington, Lawrence, rector of Pur- 

leigh, 8, S) 
Washington. Lawrence, grantee of 

Sulgrave Manor, 7, 8 
Washington, Lawrence, brother of 

John the Emigrant, 8, 9 
Washington, Lawrence, son of John the 

Emigrant, and the grandfather of 

George, 9, 10, 11, 281 
Washington, Lawrence, half-brother of 

George, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 

19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 

36, 47, 54, 68, 231, 238, 266, 275, 281, 

251. 285 

Vashington, Lawrence, of Chotanck, 

210, 227 

Washington, Lawrence of Belmont, 2H> 

Washington, Lawrence, 112, 11.3 

Washington, Lawrence, son of John 

Augustine and Eleanor Love Selden, 

Introduction, 2,39, 247, 249, 253, 2.V., 

252, 284 

Washington, Eliza Fontaine. 217, 284 
Washington, Lund. 107, 127, L33, 135, 

LS6, Lis. 139, 140, 111, 142. lit), 150, 

157, 15S, 194, 2os, -J-; 1 1 
Washington, Mrs. Lund. 158 
Washington, Martha. 16, 51. 52. .">:;, 59, 

(Id 01. 05. 07. 0,!). 71. 70. 91, 96, 101, 
100. 110. Ill, 115, lit!, 121, 122. 125, 
127, 12!». 132, 138, LH, 135. 130, 187, 
138, 1H. 1 13, 144, 115, 140, 156, 158, 
102, 100, 170, 173, 175, 183, 187, 189, 



INDEX 



301 



190, 191, 193, 195, 19S, 200, 205, 206, 
207, 208, 209, 211, 212, 213, 210, 219, 
223, 225, 226, 229, 230, 232, 233, 234, 
235, 236, 237, 247, 249, 250, 252, 254, 
273, 274, 276, 284, 285, 286 

Washington, Mary, 10, 12, 13, 26, 37. 
40, 41, 64, 135, 148, 184 

Washington, Mary Lee, 245, 251, 252. 
284, 286 

Washington, Mildred, wife of Roger 
Gregory, 10, 11, 281 

Washington, Mildred, sister of George, 
10, 13 

Washington, Miss, of Mount Zephyr, 
251 

Washington mythology, 20 

Washington, Richard B., 249, 253 

Washington, Robert, 8, 227 

Washington, Samuel, brother of General 
Washington, 10, 13, 112, 159 

Washington, Samuel, nephew of Gen- 
eral Washington, 227, 236 

Washington, Sarah, 35, 285 

Washington, Mrs. W„ 91 

Washington, Mrs. Warner, 222 

Washington, Warner, Jr., 90 

Washington, Warren, 110 

Washington, Whiting, 222 

Washington, Col. William, 236 

Washington, William Augustine, 227, 
285 

Watson, 170 

Wayne, General, 229 

Webbs Ordinary, 112 

Webster, Noah, 172 

Weedon's, 111 

Weems, Parson, 21, 92, 173 

Well, in cellar, 24 

Welles' History and Geneology of the 
Washington Family, 284, 285 

Wellington, home of Tobias Lear, 165, 
227, 235 



Wentworth, General, 16, 17 
West, Colo., and his wife, 97 
West Indies, 16, 22, 32, 33 
Westmoreland County, England, 13, 14 
Westmoreland County, Virginia, 7, 9, 

13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 77, 240, 245, 268, 

271, 285 
Westover, 42 
Wharf, 267 
Wharf-house, 267 
Whitehaven, 271 
White House, New Kent County, 52, 

53, 55, 59, CO, 62, 68, 257 
Whiting, Anthony, 194 
Whiting, Mrs. Beverley, 10 
William and Mary, College of, 61, 240 
Williams, Captain, 152 
Williams, Mrs., 12, 17 
Williamsburg, 9, 14, 19, 39, 40, 44, 48, 

51, 52, 53, 54, 58, 61, 62, 77, 91, 104, 

110, 111, 113, 120, 123, 124, 129, 143, 

281 
Will's Creek, 42 
Wills, Washington's, 225-6-7-8, 234, 

235, 236, 237, 248, 273 
Wilmington, 114 
Wilson, Justice James, 240, 241 
Winchester, 39, 53, 58, 113 
Wister, Owen, quoted, vii 
Wolcott, Oliver, 202 
Wolcott, Mrs., 202 
Wood, Mr., 90 
Wood, James, 54 
Wood, Mrs., 54 

Woodlawn, 220, 235, 236, 250, 266 
Woodrow, Mr., 90 

York, 114 

York River, 48, 51, 221 
Yorktown, 143, 144, 155, 204, 240 
Young, Arthur, 154, 156, 189 
Young, James, 262 



